PI D C B IN TO C SI RI D AL E
DEUTSCHE BANK/RYDER CUP ISSUE
FALL 2012
VOL. 2 NO. 5
Cranston’s Bobby Leopold makes it to Round of 16 at U.S. Amateur
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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COVER STORY EDITORIAL GOLF INSTRUCTION PROVIDENCE OPEN RI OPEN RI NOTEBOOK JUNIOR GOLF WESTERN MASS NOTES CT NOTEBOOK DBC PICTORIAL EASTERN MASS NOTES TIGER INTERVIEW RYDER CUP PREVIEW CENTRAL MASS NOTES PRODUCT REVIEWS COURSE REVIEW SNE GOLF LOCATOR MAP PGA NATIONAL AND MUCH MORE!
Rory McIlroy storms back to win DBC by one
photo credit: Brendan Barrett, Replay Sports
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TEE TO GREEN
ROARING RORY
David Colt Photography
BEST COVERAGE OF GOLF IN RI, MASS & CONN
By BRUCE VITTNER
TOURNAMENT GOLF
Random Thoughts While Watching the DBC • Never saw such a backup on Rt. 495 getting into the tournament on Monday. Great crowds. • When people holler NO, are they saying the putt lipped out or cheering for Seung-Yul Noh who shot an opening round of 62 and finished tied for 13th. • Lee Westwood has a great demeanor and a twinkle in his eye. He was thrilled to talk about Sergio making the Ryder Cup for Europe. • Think there are more men watching tennis star Caroline Wozniaki as she follows her main squeeze, Rory, around the course. • Just saw Rory hit a three-wood well over 300 yards—a three-wood!! • Never saw a player as despondent as Keegan Bradley after his second round when he thought he missed the cut and unpacked his locker. • Never saw a player as excited as Keegan Bradley after his final round when he talked about his comeback on Sunday and Monday and playing on the Ryder Cup. • You have to love Louis Oosthuizen
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with his cap-toothed smile and pleasant demeanor. • Wanted Louis to win so our headline would have been Louie, Louie—one of the great old-time rock and roll hits. • The crowds around Tiger’s group are so huge. He really moves the needle as they say. • The guys doing the interviews for Golf Channel sit for 12 minutes and then get up to do interviews as players finish. • Sirius and XM radio do a good job of coverage. Who would have ever thought 30 years ago that there would be a fulltime television station devoted to golf and listening to golf on the radio. Didn’t we have three television stations? • Dustin Johnson can dunk a basketball from a standstill. Davis Love III said he is our best athlete and you can see it clearly in his game. He won the Northeast Amateur in East Providence a few years ago. • It’s great to see so many volunteers every year at the DBC. When we take their pictures many say that they have been here for all ten events.
• Golfweek does a great job covering these events and Jim McCabe and Jeff Babineau were on the course all day, every day. • The guys who finished tied for 13 earned $145,600 each. Say it ain’t so Sammy. • I love the driveable par 4 fourth hole. Every course should have these great risk/ reward holes. • I really like the changes that Gil Hanse made to the 18th green. Raising the level of the green and cutting its size in half created quite the consternation among players and provided great drama. • The new seats around the 18th are a great idea. Pay for the seat and it is yours for the day or week, and nobody else can sit there. Just like Augusta. Well almost, you bring your own seats there and set them up really early. • Don’t think Luke Donald liked changes on 18. He thought he was sending a message to a friend that Gil Hanse is a #$*@, but it went out as a tweet and the
whole world saw it and it had his telephone number. Not a good idea. He apologized the next day. • Can’t think of a better way to way to spend the Labor Day weekend. We are so lucky to have the DBC and they have just signed a new four-year agreement to host the event although only the first two years are guaranteed at TPC Boston. Can’t see why they would want to go anywhere else. DBC Partial Final Results Rory McIlroy 65-65-67-67 264 $1,440,000 Louis Oosthuizen 66-65-63-71 265 864,000 Tiger Woods 64-68-68-66 266 544,000 Dustin Johnson 67-68-65-70 270 352,000 Phil Mickelson 68-68-68-66 270 352,000 Brandt Snedeker 69-70-65-67 271 288,000 Jeff Overton 64-71-69-68 272 258,000 Adam Scott 69-69-68-66 272 258,000 Bryce Molder 65-69-68-71 273 232,000 Ryan Moore 64-68-70-72 274 208,000 Kevin Stadler 68-71-69-66 274 208,000 John Senden 66-69-70-70 275 184,000 Keegan Bradley 71-73-63-69 276 145,600 Jim Furyk 69-72-65-70 276 145,600 Seung-Yul Noh 62-71-75-68 276 145,600 Steve Stricker 69-69-68-70 276 145,600 Lee Westwood 68-71-69-68 276 145,600
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
COVER STORY
By TOM GORMAN
Rory McIlroy Wins Deutsche Bank Championship
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hen the world’s top 100 players showed up Labor Day weekend for the 10th edition of the Deutsche Bank Championship, and second event in the FedEx Cup playoffs, local golf fans knew something special was brewing. With the game’s biggest names dotting the leaderboard for four days, spectators and the most-watched TV audience in tournament history were treated to a spectacular shootout culminating with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy scorching the TPC course with a winning score of 20-under par, edging South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen by a single stroke. McIlroy, at age 23, is the planet’s hottest player having won the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island on August 12. He validated his current standing as the No. 1 ranked player and ranks No. 1 in FedEx Cup points. The popular Irishman is ontrack for player of the year and will be in the mix to win the $10 million FedEx
Cup check on September 23 at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta. “Today was great. I just wanted to get off to a good, solid start and maybe put Louis under a little bit of pressure,” McIlroy said after his third victory on Tour this year. “Once I got into the lead, I felt comfortable and just tried to keep applying the pressure – hit fairways and greens – and it worked for the most part.” McIlroy won the star-studded contest in dramatic comeback fashion. He shot 67 and wiped out a three-shot deficit to Louis Oosthuizen’s even par 71, then watched the amiable South African miss a 12-foot downhill putt on the last hole that would have forced a playoff. “He’s not World No. 1 for nothing,” said Oosthuizen, who joked that his 1-over front nine “felt like I shot 47” compared to the 29 he posted in round three the day before. “He’s a great young talent. A lot
of majors left for him to win. You know, he’s such a cool kid, or cool guy, on the course.” No surprise that thousands of vocal and supportive New England golf fans turned out to watch two-time Deutsche Bank winner Tiger Woods shoot rounds of 64-68-68-66 to finish third at 18-under par, his best score ever at TPC. Woods’ paycheck of $544,000 makes him the first golfer in history to top $100 million in career earnings. With 74 career victories, he is eight shy of Sam Snead’s 82. “My game is starting to come around,” said Woods after his final round. He seemed more relaxed and cordial to playing partners and fans than in prior years. “I wanted to get to 20-under. The goal was at least get to 20 playing the last hole and give myself an option to go 21 or 22. I thought that might be good enough for a playoff.” Other notables included Phil Mickelson whose final-round 66 notched him a T-4
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
finish with Dustin Johnson, and his best performance since a T-3 at the Masters in April. Ryder Cup captain’s choice Brandt Snedeker posted 13-under total to grab fifth and a check for $288,000 from the $8 million purse. Local hero Keegan Bradley made the cut at 2-over and bolted up the leader board with a 63 on Sunday and 69 on Labor Day Monday to end at 8-under and T-13. “It was great to be able to play on the weekend in front of my home fans for the first time,” said Bradley, a Hopkinton High School graduate and Vermont native, who missed the cut last year. “I’m proud of the way I came back and was able to make a great week out of nothing.” Tom Gorman, a Boston-based freelance golf writer, is a member of Golf Writers Association of America, Golf Travel Writers Association and International Network of Golf. He can be reached at teetalk@aol.com.
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FROM THE EDITOR From the Editor
elcome to this Deutsche Bank/ Ryder Cup Issue. I may be a little prejudice, but I think this is one of the best issues yet. What a wonderful Deutsche Bank Championship. The number one player in the world, Rory McIlroy coming back from a three-stroke deficit the last day by birdieing five of his first eight holes, Tiger Woods in the hunt all week and a little South African with the easy name—Louis (pronounced Louie) and the so difficult last—Oosthuizen (pronounced Westhuis-en) gave us great drama and great golf. The crowds were immense, the ratings were way up and the weather was perfect. Does it get any better? All this played out with a $10 million payday awaiting the winner of the FedEx Cup and the drama of the Ryder Cup Captain’s picks being made the day after the event ended. What a perfect time for a tournament and the staff and volunteers did an outstanding job putting on a great show. Don’t think anyone could be unhappy purchasing a ticket for this
annual event that has just been renewed for four years. We are having so much fun with the Ryder Cup. Paul Azinger’s decision to have four captain’s picks that are not made until four weeks before the Ryder Cup has fueled speculation, controversy and added to the high drama that is the Ryder Cup. Just about everyone in the media room was guessing who would be picked on September 4. We were able to ask many of the players about their thoughts about making the team and playing on the Ryder Cup. See pages 26 and 27 for their comments and our staff picks. You can make your pick at www.snegolfer.com and those who choose the correct score will go into a drawing to win a foursome of golf. Before getting to page 26, stop at page 25 and read Joe Gordon’s insightful column about past Ryder Cups and his candid interview with Tiger Woods. David Adamonis, Jr. does a fine job with the Providence Open and all the junior golf activities that were held in conjunction with the DBC. Congratulations to Eddie
Kirby from Alpine who recently won the New England PGA Championship. Kirby, a former PGA Tour player who was 15th after three rounds of the U.S. Open in 1989, was the first person to be pictured on the cover of this publication in 1994. Will we be seeing him out on the Champions Tour soon? He is now a still-young 49, but he might become the next Dana Quigley from Rhode Island. Enjoy the publication and enjoy the fine golf still to be played this fall. We are having an Appreciation Day at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth on Sept. 25. Details are on page 19 and all are invited. Keep your head down and swing easy.
TRIVIA 1. When was the first Ryder Cup held? 2. Where was it held? 3. Where was the 1999 Ryder Cup held? 4. What happened to the 2001 Ryder Cup? 5. Who is the Cup named after? 6. What is the current winning streak? 7. Where was the 1991 Ryder Cup held? 8. Who missed a putt on the last hole to lose? 9. Where will the Ryder Cup be held in 2014?
Editor/Publisher BRUCE VITTNER bruce@snegolfer.com Associate Editor JAY NOMAKEO snjnom@comcast.com Design/Production DEB BASILE Contributing Writers DAVE ADAMONIS, JR. BRUCE BERLET SCOTT CORDISCHI BOB DICESARE BOB DICK BILL DOYLE KATHARINE DYSON TIM GERRISH JOE GORDON TOM GORMAN RUSS HELD DEREK HOOPER BRUCE HUTCHINSON KEN JEREMIAH Staff Photographers JIM CALORIO BOB LAVALLEE Account Executives JIM GRAY ROY WAGNER Web Design ROB AREL SUSAN VITTNER Advertising Information/Sales BRUCE VITTNER 401-464-8445 bruce@snegolfer.com Publishing Information: Southern New England Golfer is published five times per year: January, May, June, August, and September
Answers 1. 1927; 2. Worcester (Mass.) Country Club; 3. The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.; 4. Cancelled due to 9/11 attacks; 5. Samuel Ryder; 6. Europeans have won one in a row and 6 of last 8; 7. Kiawah Island; 8. Bernhard Langer; 9. Gleneagles (first time in Scotland in over 40 years).
Editorial: Mail all articles, releases, and other items to Editor, Southern New England Golfer, P.O. BOX 10038, Cranston, RI 02910. Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All rights reserved. Advertising: Southern New England Golfer is not responsible for advertising copy. Corrected advertising will be placed in future issues. For advertising information, call 401-464-8445 or email bruce@snegolfer.com. © 2012. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.
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SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF
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By BRUCE VITTNER
Alpine’s Kirby Wins N.E. PGA Championship
orty-nine-year old Eddie Kirby, head professional at Alpine Country Club in Cranston for the past 12 years won the New England PGA Championship last month. The 54-hole event was held at Kernwood C.C. for one round and two rounds at Salem C.C. in Massachusetts. The event, with a total purse of $85,300 and a qualifier spot for the top thirteen finishers in the national event, is the most prestigious in New England and Kirby led wire-to-wire to win the title and a check for $14,000. “This was my second biggest check ever, said Kirby who had played on the PGA Tour and Hogan Tour back in the 80s and early 90s. In fact, Kirby was tied for 15th going into the final round of the 1989 U.S. Open before faltering slightly. Kirby shot a 66 the first day to take a two-stroke lead over John Hickson of Dick’s Sporting Goods who was the
defending champion. “I really played well that first day. I felt well and putted great,” said Kirby who has had some physical problems the past few years but is playing “as well as I ever have.” He backed up the first round with a solid 69 the second day to take a three-stroke lead over Jeff Seavey from Homosassa, Fla. and a pro at Samoset Resort in Maine and Jeff Martin of Norton C.C. who has played on the Web.com Tour and was a former assistant to Kirby at Alpine. He held a four-stroke lead over Hickson and Kirk Hanefeld of Renaissance G.C. who shot the low round of the day with a 67. Travis Hall of Ipswich C.C. also was four back after posting rounds of 70 and 69. On the final day it was Seavey who made the big push. Kirby was two up playing with Seavey as they went to the 12th hole. Seavey made eagle on the par 5 to Kirby’s par and they were tied. “I pulled ahead of him again by two strokes, but
don’t you know he makes another eagle on 16 to catch me,” recalled Kirby. “I was wondering if it was in the cards for me to win,” said Kirby. It was. Seavey faltered on 17 and when Kirby made a great up-and-down on 18 he secured the win by one stroke over Seavey who had three birdies and two eagles in his final round. “I had a seven-footer on 18 for the win, and I was so proud to make it and get the Tom Mahan, Sr. Trophy,” said a very happy Kirby. When asked about his future plans Kirby replied, “I turn 50 next year and I will sit down with my wife and daughter and decide about going to Champions Tour Q School. I have a wonderful job at Alpine and the members and staff are great. I’m not chasing the money like I did in the 1980s. my life is great and we’re not sure at this time.” Whatever he chooses to do, he knows that he will be very proud of this win
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
Alpine’s Eddie Kirby against his peers in the New England chapter of the PGA. Bruce Vittner is a member of the Golf Writers Assn. of America, the Golf Travel Writers of America and can be reached at bruce@snegolfer.com. Partial results on page 32
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By DEREK HOOPER
GOLF INSTRUCTION
The Golf Swing —Impact
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very move we make in the golf swing is about setting ourselves up for one single instant in time – impact. It is at this point when the club comes into contact with the ball and the resultant ball flight is determined. The ball does not care how beautiful your backswing is or whether you have an upright or flat swing plane. The only things the ball will react to is what is happening with the club at the moment of impact - the angle of the clubface in relation to the target line, the path the club makes into the ball, where the ball is struck on the clubface, the speed of the club and the angle of attack. All great players have very similar impact conditions. They have more weight on the lead leg, the hips are turned slightly open to the target line and the shaft is leaning slightly towards target. Each of these moves combine to ensure a ball first contact and thus better control over the ball flight.
Too many players strike the ground before the ball, trapping grass and dirt between the clubface and ball that compromises both distance and directional control. The first step in attaining a good impact position is to understand what exactly what it is.
Impact Rehearsal Drill: Take your normal address position with a 7 iron and place the club head against something solid. This could be the edge of a piece of furniture or a door jam. Then try to push the club head into the resistance. You will be able to generate the most force if you rotate your hips towards target, move some weight to the lead leg and the arms are ahead of the club head thus creating some shaft lean. The objective is not to try and create maximum force but rather to notice how the body positions change when
the objective is to apply some force. The position described above, the one your body instinctually moves to, is what we are looking for at the moment of impact.
Tee Drill: Once you have an understanding of what impact should feel like the next goal is to put that feeling into a swing motion. A drill that works very well for this purpose is the tee drill. Lay a tee on the ground three inches behind the club head in your normal address position. The objective is to take short swings missing the tee but get the club to hit the ground on the target side of the tee. The only way you can do this is to reproduce the impact position you learned in the rehearsal drill. Once you can do this drill consistently without a ball, add a ball and while taking short swings try to hit the ball then the ground while missing the tee. This drill encourages a downward swing path, good shaft lean, lower body rotation and weight moving to the lead side, all the characteristics of a good impact position.
Derek Hooper is the Director of Instruction at the Troon Golf Academy, Lake of Isles. Derek has a college degree in teaching and over 17 years experience conducting lesson programs in Australia, Japan and Taiwan. He specializes in personalized, improvement programs that cover the technical and physical components required to play your best golf. Derek can be contacted at 1.888.475.3746 or dhooper@troongolf.com.
Rising Star Bud Cauley Age: 22 Birthplace: Daytona, Fla. Family: Single College: Univ. of Alabama Turned Pro: 2011 When taking Bud Cauley’s picture for our rising star he looked like one of the standard-bearers as he is 5 ft. 7 in. and weighs 150. But he can play golf. After graduating from Alabama in 2011 where he was an All-American three times and rated the number one college player in the country in 2010, he immediately turned professional. His first event was the U.S. Open where he made the cut and tied for 67. He earned his 2012 Tour card by earning enough in eight events to get in the top 125. Only six players have ever done that and they include Phil, Tiger and Ryan Moore. He was the first rookie to ever finish top 10 in two consecutive weeks. He played on the Junior Ryder Cup team in 2009, the thing that he rates his greatest thrill. In 2012 he has already earned $1,703,435 and is ranked 33rd in FedEx points going into the BMW Championship.
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SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
TOURNAMENT GOLF
By DAVE ADAMONIS, JR
Valentine’s Day at Providence Open, Gallo Punches Q-School Ticket Seamus Fennelly and Abbie Valentine (r)
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ayport, New York’s Abbie Valentine debated over whether or not to make the trip to this year’s Providence Open and Q-School Qualifier. Valentine felt the timing and duration of the event cost him at last year’s Met Open. “The Met Open is the biggest event I play in annually,” said Valentine. “The purse is among the best in this region (first place $27,500) and it is a prestigious competition. Last year I felt playing in the Providence Open and Qualifier was too much golf and affected my play there.” Valentine ultimately decided he would just play in the Providence Open and pass on the Qualifier. The decision to make the trip proved fruitful, as Valentine posted a tournament record 13-under par total, 4-strokes clear of David Schuster (another player who opted to follow the same schedule). Valentine’s win left him wondering if he made the right move and the field playing in the Qualifier giddy about their prospects. “I guess we will see if I made the right decision next week. I am feeling pretty good about my game. It would be nice to carry it over to the Met,” said Valentine. “When I heard Ab was 13-under I thought that is a pretty big number to make up at Crestwood, but tournament official Joe Pieranunzi told me that both he and Schuster weren’t playing in the Qualifier,” stated a grinning Jimmy Hazen. “It should be a shootout at Crestwood.” Hazen proved prophetic as the Q-School Qualifier provided incredible drama, and
he was center stage. During the third round, the 2010 Providence Open champ recorded the second double eagle of the tournament (and 4th double eagle in three years) on the 545-yard par 5, 8th hole. Hazen used that amazing shot to earn a share of the overnight lead with Kyle Gallo heading into the final round. In the final round a host of players stayed in contention, while Hazen edged away from the field. Nursing a 2-stroke lead Hazen hit his tee shot out of bounds at the difficult par-4 16th hole and carded a double bogey to fall into a 3-way tie for the lead. Playing two groups in front of Hazen, Shawn Warren birdied 3 of the last 4 holes to post a 14-under par total. One group behind Warren, former Challenge Cup Player of the Year and URI standout Michael Carbone, had an 8-foot putt on the final hole to win the tournament (by posting 15-under) that burned the edge. His playing partner Jason Thresher overcame a bogey at 17 by 2-putting for birdie at the 18th to join the fray at 14-under. Meanwhile Hazen bogeyed the 17th to fall 1-stroke back heading to the final hole, along with his playing partner Kyle Gallo. Both players made clutch birdies at the 18th hole to tie for the lead at 14-under par. The play-off contested under a 3-hole aggregate format and provided more drama. Warren and Hazen birdied the first hole, while Carbone, Thresher and Gallo made par. At the 2nd hole Gallo drained
a 30-foot bomb to pull even with Hazen (who made par). The duo headed to the final play-off hole (the 505-yard 12th) 1-stroke clear of Thresher, Carbone and Warren (after Warren couldn’t get up and down for par). Thresher was all but eliminated on the final hole, as his tee ball was lost in a bush. The other four players threaded the needle with their drives. Gallo, playing first, stiffed a 5-wood to 6-feet. Carbone playing next took an aggressive line and missed the green just long and left. Hazen countered with a gem of his own, inches outside of Gallo dead on his line. Warren, playing last, airmailed the green. After Carbone and Warren failed to hole their third shots it came down to a putt for all the marbles between Hazen and Gallo. Hazen’s attempt lipped out. Gallo stepped up and drained his eagle putt center cut to earn the coveted Q-School entry.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
“I have been playing solid golf all summer,” said Gallo. I hope I can continue to play this consistently at Q-School. The play-off was a lot of fun. It feels good to execute shots when the pressure is on. It amazes me that more guys don’t play in this. If you are going to Q-School this is a no-brainer,” he concluded. URI star Seamus Fennelly joined an impressive list of players earning low amateur honors at the Providence Open by posting a 5-under par 139 total, highlighted by a double eagle at the 485yard par 5 6th hole during the final round. Fennelly, who was a semi-finalist at this year’s RIGA Amateur Championship, defeated Cody Paladino on the first hole of sudden-death to earn top honors. Fennelly carded a routine par, while Paladino failed to get up and down from
Continued on page 32
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By BOB DICK
TOURNAMENT GOLF
Leopold Wins 2nd RIGA Mid-AM Championship
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Bobby Leopold, now a two-time Mid-Am winner
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harlie Blanchard knows how to win the yearly RIGA Mid-AM Championship. After all, he’s won it a whopping seven times since its inception in 1994. And when he rolled in a 25-foot uphill birdie putt on the final hole of the two-day event at the Pawtucket C.C. it was business as usual. Well, not quite this time. Yes, it was a neat way for Blanchard to finish, but this time it only made him closer to the winner, Bobby Leopold, now a two-time Mid-Am winner. Following a two-and-a-half hour rain delay on the final day, the Potowomut Englishman played perhaps his best golf of the summer and skipped past Blanchard on the pivotal 16th by two strokes, upped his lead to three with a birdie on 17 and won the title with a four-under total of 134 that included a nifty four-under 65 over the final 18. Blanchard finished two strokes back at 136. Leopold and Blanchard were
the only two players who finished under par for the 36-hole event. “In the first round I drove the ball well but didn’t hit good irons so I went to the range for 40 minutes afterward and worked on some things,” said Leopold. “I came out on the second day and played great.” The Pawtucket Country Club proved to everyone that if you don’t keep the ball in the fairway, disaster awaits in its nasty rough. First round leader, John Costa III, who owned a two-stroke lead after the first round with a two-under 67 found out how bad things can get at Pawtucket when he quickly lost his lead on day two and eventually ballooned to an 81 and ended up back in the pack at 10-over 148. Playing on his home course, Ryan Pelletier finished at 141 (70,71) followed by Austin Eaton (Pawtucket), Brad Valois (Metacomet) and E. J. Wholey (Triggs) at 142. Next came Jamie Griffiths (Wannamoisett) and Jamie Lukowicz (West Warwick) at 143. Lukowicz also found out the hard way how quickly things can turn against you at Pawtucket. He held the lead after eight holes on the final day but a four hole disaster took him out of it when he three-putted 9, missed a three-footer for birdie on 10, bogeyed 11 and went out of bounds on 12. So, in the end, this tournament belonged to Blanchard and Leopold. Leopold was the defending champ and the lefty-winging Blanchard, now the men’s golf coach at Bryant University, was gunning for his eighth win. But this time
Blanchard’s guns shot blanks at the most crucial time. Blanchard had just erased a two-shot Leopold lead when he birdied 14 and parred 15 while Leopold parred 14 and bogeyed 15. So, headed to the par-4, 432yard 16th they were all even. That tie did not last past the 16th. Leopold’s clutch birdie at 16 to Blanchard’s unexpected bogey suddenly shot him into a two shot lead again. He raised that margin to three on 17 and it was all over. “I didn’t expect that turnaround on 16,” said Leopold “and my birdie on 17 was a bonus. I know when I face Charlie I have to make a lot of birdies and I did (10 for the tournament and six on the final day).” As to what happened to the 7-time champ on 16, Blanchard noted, “After my drive, I was under a tree but didn’t notice a low-hanging branch and my approach came up short. I didn’t make a good chip and Bobby made a great birdie putt. He just made more putts than I did. We both had great chances and he made them, I didn’t. That was the difference.” The RIGA’s Mid-Am Senior Division title went to Point Judith’s Jim Mahoney and Swansea’s Paul Quigley. Both had rounds of 73 and 73 and finished at 146, two shots ahead of Swansea’s Jim Rose who carded rounds of 77 and 71 for a 148 total. Bob Dick is a retired sports writer for the Providence Journal and a member of the Golf Writers Assn. of America.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
TOURNAMENT GOLF
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By BOB DICK
Larson Captures Rhode Island Open
ini touring pro,URI alum Jesse Larson, is a member of the Green Mountain National Golf Club. That very picturesque looking layout is located in the heart of Vermont ski country in Killington. And yes, the 2007 Rhody grad admits to being a risk taker--he loves to ski. In fact, he says, he likes to ski race. So Jesse, isn’t that a huge gamble especially to a golfer’s limbs, namely his arms and legs should a nasty fall occur while roaring down a mountain side at speeds best left to the real pros? “Sure, it’s risky but it also teaches you to have great balance,” says Larson. And so this dreamer of becoming a PGA Tour pro someday risks it all to have a little fun before he heads for Florida in mid-winter to compete in mini tour events which he’s been doing these last few years. And, yes, Larson did display great balance in the heat of August as he propelled himself to his biggest victory as a pro in capturing the 81st R.I. Open at the Ledgemont C.C. in Seekonk, Mass. First place was good for $5,400. “Prior to this, my biggest win, financially, was the Vermont Open a few years ago. I was the top pro in that event but I was beat out for first place by an amateur,” recalled Larson, “So winning this feels pretty good. I had been shooting good numbers before this tournament.” Larson, with rounds of 66, 64 and 65 became the third URI grad to win this event in the past four years joining Mike Carbone in 2009 and Mark Stevens last year. Larson was as steady as they come recording only one bogey throughout the 54-hole tournament as he wound up at 15-under par 195. That total was three shots better than Kyle Gallo (198), a pro from Connecticut, and four shots ahead of Rhode Island amateur Brad Valois (199). Best of all, Larson got hot when he had to as he birdied five of his final 11 holes in the third round to hold off Gallo (67,67,64) and Valois (63, a course record, 68,68). With both players pressuring him during the first nine of the final 18, Larson responded by running off a string of four consecutive birdies on 8,9,10 and 11 and then rolling in a clutch birdie putt on the par 4 16th that clinched his victory.
“Brad got off to a big start with birdies on three of the first four holes,” said Larson “while I hit close on four of my first five holes but got nothing. When he chipped in on four I said to myself to stay patient. Then I got going on 8 and it continued on 9,10 and 11 and got my confidence back and erased what had happened earlier.” Still, Valois led by one going into the final 9 but after Larson birdied 10 and 11 he was 14 under, one shot ahead of Valois. After Valois bogeyed 13 when his drive wound up under some trees to the left that eventually dropped him back to 12 under, Larson iced his win when he sank a huge 18-foot birdie putt with a four-foot break on 16. “I spent a lot of time on that putt,” he said. “I had a hard time trusting where I was aiming it and I kept readjusting the break until I got comfortable. I forced myself to hit it where I read it and I made it.” Reacted Valois, “When I got into trouble on 13, that changed the momentum. What it came down to on the final 9 was I didn’t hit shots close enough to make birdies.” Despite finishing second at 12 under, Gallo was pleased with his play. “I hit the ball well, made good putts inside 12 feet so to be 12 under after three rounds was a good number. I’m very happy where my game is,” he said.
Jesse Larson recorded 16 birdies in his three rounds to clinch RI Open
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Open notes: 47 players made the cut for the final round of the three day event, 20 ended up under par. . .Gallo is headed to the PGA Tour school in October for the 12th time. He missed by one shot in 2004 of getting a tour card. . .Larson, who got through the second stage of the tour school two years ago, will try again this year. He missed much of the golf season a year ago because of a hand injury. . .Larson’s winning total of 195 was one shot off the tourney record of 194 set by Dana Quigley at the Pawtucket C.C. in 1996. . .Andrew Giuliani, son of former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani, was only two off the lead through two rounds but shot himself out of it with a four over 74 on the final day. . .Larson recorded 16 birdies in his three rounds; Gallo notched 8 birdies on his final 18 but two bogeys killed his chances.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
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By SCOTT CORDISCHI
PEOPLE IN GOLF
Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III
H
e may not be mentioned in the same breath as Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. But, then again, who is? Davis Love III is now in the twilight of his PGA Tour career and, at the age of 48, is likely looking forward to appearing on the Champions Tour in the spring of 2014 when he turns 50. And it would be shocking to no one if he were to dominate that Tour from the outset. While Love III may not be quite the caliber of golfer that Tiger and Jack are, he still has to be considered one of the very best to have ever played the sport. The son of a golf pro, Love III has enjoyed
a sensational career as a pro. He has won 20 events on the PGA Tour including the 1997 PGA Championship. He also won golf ’s “fifth major” – The Players’ Championship – twice. But, as great as those individual accomplishments may be, Love III enjoyed one of the proudest moments of his career in January of 2011. At that time, he was named captain of the 2012 United States Ryder Cup team. “To be named Ryder Cup captain is a thrill that I never thought I would have,” said a tearful Love at his introductory news conference on January 20, 2011. “I’m thrilled to represent the PGA of America. Thrilled to represent all of the men and women PGA Professionals. As we have said a lot of times, there’s not a TOUR player out there that plays one TOUR event or plays six Ryder Cups that doesn’t have a PGA professional that led them to that position. So I thank all of the PGA Professionals, including my dad. Thank you for that.” Love’s emotion to that question can be excused given how close he was to his father. Unfortunately, his dad won’t be able to experience this great moment with his
son. He was killed in a plane crash in 1988. But his father’s premature death only serves to make Love stronger which is one of the reasons he has enjoyed the stellar career he has had. But, as great of a career as Love has enjoyed, will that translate into success as captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team? As a player in six different Ryder Cups, Love compiled a respectable, but losing record of 9-12-5. Folks in southern New England are certainly familiar with Love. A friend of Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, he has played in a majority of the CVS/Caremark Charity Classics at Rhode Island Country Club. His demeanor on the course seems somewhat stoic but certainly business-like. And it’s hard to be critical of his approach because it has worked very well for him. But will his personality and style of leadership be enough to help the U.S. beat the Europeans? The one thing that the Ryder Cup is that all other professional golf events aren’t is emotionally charged. It’s not about 4 days of individual medal play, it’s three days of intense team competition where players wear their emotions on their sleeves and take great pride in representing their countries.
Putting together the pairings may be one of the easiest parts of Love’s job as U.S. team captain. Getting his troops fired up for the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club will be his biggest challenge. It’s hard to picture Love delivering a Knute Rockne “win one for the Gipper”-type speech to his team. And that may be an issue. One of the things that has seemingly separated the European team from their American counterparts over the years has been the emotion and comradery they have displayed. While the United States has routinely fielded more talented teams than the Europeans, it hasn’t translated to success in the event. Since 1985, the Europeans dominated play taking 9 out of 13 meetings. On the other hand, Europe will be captained by Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal who learned from one of the fiercest competitors to ever play the sport in Seve Ballesteros. On top of that, Olazabal’s record as a player in the 7 events he participated in is a spectacular 18-8-5. Maybe the captains aren’t as significant to the Ryder Cup as some of us think? Who knows? If they are, you’d have to give the edge to the Europeans.
Rory and Louie are playing a match. Louie hits the ball into the woods and is not sure that the ball he sees is his. He picked it up to identify it and it was his. Rory says that is a penalty because he was not informed beforehand that Louie was going to pick it up. Ruling: Rule 12-2 says that a player must notify his opponent or an official if he is going to pick up a ball to identify it. In stroke play it is a one-stroke penalty. In match play it is loss of hole.
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SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
RI NOTEBOOK Eaton Can Play Veteran RIGA official, George Fowler, tells the story of how in the spring he saw this new member of the Pawtucket C.C. headed for the first tee. “He was a new guy, so I thought I would hang around and help him if I could,” recalled Fowler. “After I saw his swing, I just walked away. I knew I would be of no help to him.”
Austin Eaton III The new guy just happened to be a fellow by the name of Austin Eaton III fresh from New Hampshire. And this guy can play, folks! He’s already the club champion. Trouble is, he doesn’t play that much due to work and family obligations. What George and others at Pawtucket didn’t know at the time is that Eaton has enjoyed a fair amount of success on the fairways. How about winning the 2004 U.S. Mid Am Championship at Lake Sunapee C.C. or in 2005 reaching the semi finals of the U.S. Amateur at Merion G.C. Not too bad, huh. Well, try to fathom this further piece of information concerning Mr. Eaton. Back in his college days at UNH, he didn’t appear to give a sand trap for golf. Nope, instead, he was whooshing down the sides of mountains as a member of the school’s ski racing team and competed in the NCAA Ski Racing championships. “I was a better skier than a golfer at the time,” he says, “and wasn’t even thinking that much about a pro golf career while in college. But, apparently a form of sanity entered Eaton’s head somewhere along the line and he pretty much swapped his skis for drivers and nine irons. “I thought a little about being a golf pro when I was in my 20s but after 2004 and 2005 I was ready to start a family and didn’t want to live out of a suitcase, and I don’t ski much anymore, either,” he says. Eaton arrived in our area last fall when his wife got a job with Colgate-Palmolive. “We moved to Attleboro and I joined Pawtucket and love it,” said Eaton. “I sell energy in the competitive market and work for a brokerage firm in New Hampshire. We’re both busy
and we have two young kids ages 4 and 6 and I want to spend as much time as I can with them.” Eaton played in only two RIGA events this summer, finishing tied for third at the Burke and tied for fourth at the R.I. Mid Amateur. “I’d like to play more but right now there are more important things going on. But I might play in the State Amateur next year,” Eaton said. And, by the way, he grades his game a B. Forget it, he’s way better than that. Leopold Gets to 16’s Again Bobby Leopold says he feels good about his performance at this year’s U.S. Amateur out in Colorado where, for the second year in a row, he won two matches before losing in the round of 16, 2 and 1, to Aussie Oliver Goss. Leopold’s downfall came when he bogeyed 16 and 17 that allowed Goss to escape with the win. “He played well, putted well and made a lot of 5 to 8 footers and I missed some and didn’t make any birdies down the stretch,” Leopold said. “Yeah, it was disappointing but I’ll try again next year.” At age 27, Leopold was the oldest player remaining in the field when he lost. “Even though I lost, I’m taking a lot of positives from what I did. I was still able to get to the round of 16 with all the talent out there. And I did it without practicing anywhere near as much as those young guys. It’s a full-time job for those kids. I have a job, my wife is pregnant and I’m just happy to play good golf and be at work at the same time,” Leopold added. Rhode Island’s other entry in the U.S. Am, Brad Valois, lost his first round match to Justin Shinn, 1-up. Valois bogeyed 18, while Shinn, who won this year’s Northeast Amateur title at Wannamoisett, parred the hole for the victory. Leopold, Valois, Blanchard Head to NJ The team of Leopold, Valois and Charlie Blanchard will represent Rhode Island later this month at the USGA Men’s State Team Championships at the par 71 Galloway G.C. in Galloway, N.J. In 2010 Rhode Island turned in its best finish ever in this event, tying for second with Florida and North Carolina, four shots behind the winning Kansas team at Mayagama G.C. in Sonoma, California. That R.I. team consisted of Leopold, Blanchard and Garrett Medeiros. Elliot Gearing Up for Senior Tour Westerly’s John “Jumbo” Elliot, who spent 15 years touring on either the PGA Tour or the old Nationwide Tour back in the 90s and 2000 and 2005, is now getting himself geared up for Senior Tour action when he turns 50 next September. Elliott, who won the 2010 Rhode Island Open and finished tied for 16th this year, says he hasn’t been playing much golf this year.
“My game is good. I just don’t play a lot. Right now my hands are a little beat up so I’ve got to take care of that. I just can’t hit a lot of balls,” explained Elliot. Hopefully, he says, all that will change for him next year. ”I’ll get myself ready and play in some senior events and I’ll go south in the winter and play in some tournaments down there and also do some caddying. I have status on the Champions Tour because of my time touring. I can go and do Monday qualifying from all the cuts I made on the PGA Tour. I also can go to Champions QSchool and if I make it, good, but if not I’ll still have some status there. Capone Update Eight years ago when he won the 2004 R.I. Open at the Quidnessett C.C. and four years after turning professional, Mike Capone, told then Ocean State Golf that despite struggling as a golf professional (little money and no status) that he had to remain patient. “I love playing. I have no timetable. I enjoy the competition, the thrill of it. I could stop and teach, but I just love to play.” Flash forward to the present and it’s pretty much the same for Capone only now he hasn’t been playing much. He’s 35 and has recovered from injuries that have plagued him the past few years and, of course, is
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By BOB DICK still hunting for that PGA Tour card that he covets so much. Capone was back home last month and finished tied for 9th for a little money at this year’s R.I. Open with rounds of 67,66 and a disappointing 73. “This is my first tournament since I missed out at Q-School last fall,” Capone says. ”My wife and I have an 11-month-old boy and I have been teaching online. I have a website called CaponeGolf.com and it has taken off. It has done well and I enjoy it.” Capone says he’s based pretty much out of Rhode Island but still has a place in Orlando, Florida. And, oh yes, he’ll be heading back to Q-School this fall for one more attempt at securing that elusive PGA Tour card. ...The 29th RIGA Stroke Play title was won by Jamison Randall at the Alpine C.C. when he edged out Blanchard by one stroke. Randall and Blanchard battled back and forth on the final 9 holes of this 54-hole event before Randall won it on the final hole with a par and ended up at 5-under 211. West Warwick’s Jamie Lukowicz took third with a 2-under 214. ...George Donnell won the Senior Division by a whopping 8 strokes with rounds of 72, 75 and 71 for a 218 total.
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By DAVE ADAMONIS, JR Deutsche Bank, Boston Golf Club Host Dream Week for Junior Golfers The John D. Mineck DBC Junior Cup has become the annual highlight of the season for junior golfers throughout the country. The competition, which was the brainchild of Deutsche Bank Americas CEO Seth Waugh, pits the top 20 juniors from New England against 20 of the top players from across the country and beyond. The “Dream Week” teed off on Friday of Labor Day weekend, as the field of 40 junior golfers played their practice rounds at the prestigious Boston Golf Club in Hingham, Massachusetts. That evening players and their families were treated to a tour of Fenway Park and a barbeque on the “Green Monster” courtesy of the Fenway Sports Group. Over the weekend the players competed in a team match play format. Team New England captured the title for the fourth consecutive year, rallying for a 32-28 victory over Team USA. Team USA jumped out to a 16 1⁄2 to 13 1⁄2 lead on Day 1, but the teams of John Beadle and Brian Carlson, Michael and John VanDerlaan and Mia Landegren and Nicole Scola swept all three points in their respective matches. Following competition each day the players and their families were special guests at the Deutsche Bank Championship. After their final round of competition, they were recognized on stage at the Deutsche Bank’s Sunday Celebration. “It is a special couple of days,” stated Waugh. “The players are picked based on character first. The competition is
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JUNIOR GOLF secondary. It is more about the camaraderie than anything. The players and their families meet new people and develop relationships that will last a lifetime.” On a personal note, as the director of the Challenge Cup, yours truly would like to thank the many folks who made the week possible. The folks at Boston Golf Club are unrivaled. They treated our players and their families like they were on Tour. Ditto to the Fenway Sports Group. Our evening at Fenway was fabulous....and of course Seth and Deutsche Bank. Seth is a remarkable man. He and Deutsche Bank have done so much for this community. The impact this tournament has on our economy and charitable foundations is enormous. The Challenge Cup, its players and all of New England are fortunate to have such wonderful friends. Tiger Time – A few Challenge Cup players got to spend some time with Tiger Woods courtesy of his caddie Joe LaCava. Mia Landegren and Megan Khang had a brief chat and posed for pictures with Woods, which immediately were posted on Facebook. The most memorable moment though came when Michael Van Derlaan was invited by Woods and Bo Van Pelt to toss around a football in the parking lot of TPC Boston. Charitable Chip In – In a tribute to Boston Golf Club co-founder, John Mineck, Challenge Cup players and their families contributed close to $20,000 to the John D. Mineck Foundation. John passed away in 2007 in a tragic accident at the club. His foundation supports many charities throughout the area.
Guise Receives Mineck Award – In yet another tribute to Mineck, Seth Waugh presented Greenwich, Connecticut’s Danny Guise with the 7th annual John D. Mineck Award. The award is annually presented to an outstanding junior golfer, who best exemplifies John’s many outstanding qualities. Former recipients include Evan Harmeling (Princeton), Tony Grillo (Harvard), Ryan Gay (New Mexico), Cameron Wilson (Stanford), Andy Mai (Boston College) and Nick McLaughlin (Virginia). It was quite a week for Guise, as the Wake Forest commit closed out his Mineck/DBC career winning for the 4th time in four appearances. Top Coaches in Attendance – In a testament to the caliber of play at the John D. Mineck DBC Junior Cup, coaches from some of the top schools in the Northeast were in attendance. Boston College’s dynamic duo of Drew Kayser and Bill Poutre, URI’s Greg Burke and UConn’s Dave Pezzino were all in attendance.
Dickson, Frodigh Claim State Junior Titles Will Dickson and Patrick Frodigh posted two of the more impressive performances of the summer en route to winning their state junior championships. At the RIGA Junior Championship, Dickson birdied eight of the eleven holes he played in the championship match en route to a 9 & 7 victory over Ethan Zexter. With the victory the 13-year old Dickson became the youngest winner in the 91-year history of the event. Dickson has another chance to make history, as only three other players have won the RIGA Junior title three times. Tom Cunningham, PGA Tour great Brad Faxon and Brad Valois all won their three titles in consecutive years. Dickson still has another four cracks at the junior. The following week at Oakley C.C., just outside of Boston, Patrick Frodigh was a model of consistency posting rounds of 67-73-69 to post a 4-under par 209 total in claiming the 94th MGA Junior Championship. Frodigh’s total was 4strokes better than US Junior phenom Jake Shuman and 7-strokes clear of Steven Dilisio and Nick Rodriguez. Much like his good friend Dickson, Dilisio was writing his name in the record
books at his state junior championship. Dilisio hoisted the hardware for the 4th consecutive year at the MGA Junior. After winning the Boys Division for three consecutive years Dilisio took top honors in the Pre Junior Division. Not to be outdone Weston’s Nick Cummings rallied for a dramatic 1-stroke victory over the host club’s Oisin Treanor to earn the Boys Division crown. Cummings fired rounds of 77-73, punctuated by a clutch birdie at the 35th hole to wrestle the title from Treanor.
Fall Finish With a dozen tournaments left on the Challenge Cup calendar, the Northeast Junior Classic at Bethpage State Park takes center stage. The prestigious competition is the final event on the Challenge Cup calendar before final selections for team New England are announced. The champions from 7 of the Challenge Cup’s elite events this season and the top three players from the Challenge Cup Point Standings will earn automatic berths on the 12-player team. The final spot will be determined in a special qualifier at the Doral Publix Sectional Qualifier in October. Players ranked in the top 30 of the Spinal Technology Challenge Cup Player of the Year Standings will have the opportunity to earn the final spot on Team New England at the qualifier. In late December, Team New England will match shots with Florida’s finest junior golfers in the Dave Adamonis Sr. Challenge Cup Matches at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa. One day later the same group of players will join 600 other junior golfers in competition at the Doral Publix Junior Classic. Date / Tournament / Site 9/3 – 9/16 Spinal Technology Junior Match Play Various Courses 9/22 – 9/23 Granite State Junior Championship Bretwood G.C. 9/29 Challenge Cup Charity Classic Connecticut National G.C. 9/30 Doral Publix Junior Qualifier Rehoboth C.C. 10/6 – 10/7 Northeast Junior Classic Bethpage Red & Blue
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
JUNIOR GOLF
By DAVE ADAMONIS, JR
Mineck Cup Fab Four Nicole Scola, Jacquelyn Eleey, Megan Khang and Mia Landegren
Team USA’s Billy Andrade, Cameron Andrade and Captain Steve Feinstein DBC CEO Seth Waugh with award winner Danny Guise TEAM USA - Captain Steve Feinstein, Calvin Beckwith - Aaron Whalen Brooke Henderson - Luke Graboyes Erica Herr - Cole Berman Alexa Hammer - Jackson Stroup Hannah Pietila - Caulen Coe Cameron Andrade - Zach Herr Jeffrey Lang - Patrick Hallisey Austin Eoff - Cooper Musselman Jake Marriott - David Hicks Fred Allen Meyer - John Clare DAY 1 TOTALS Zach Herr - Luke Graboyes David Hicks - Caulen Coe Calvin Beckwith - Jackson Stroup Jake Marriott - Aaron Whalen Cameron Andrade - Jeffrey Lang Cole Berman - John Clare Cooper Musselman - Fred Allen Meyer Patrick Hallisey - Austin Eoff Brooke Henderson - Erica Herr Hannah Pietila - Alexa Hammer DAY 2 TOTALS FINAL SCORE
Points 0 1⁄2 2 0 2 1⁄2 3 3 3 2 1⁄2 0 16 1⁄2 3 1 1⁄2 1⁄2 1 1⁄2 0 0 2 1⁄2 1 1 1⁄2 0 11 1⁄2 28
Team New England - Dave Adamonis Jr., Connor Greenleaf - Jake Shuman Jacquelyn Eleey - Danny Guise Megan Khang - Chelso Barrett Mia Landegren - Ben Balter Nicole Scola - John Beadle Brian Carlson - Eric Dietrich John VanDerlaan - Michael VanDerlaan, Evan Grenus - Patrick Albanesi McKinley Slade - Patrick Oleksak Jonathan Woods - Nick Rodriguez Danny Guise - Jonathan Woods Patrick Oleksak - Nick Rodriguez Patrick Albanesi - Evan Grenus McKinley Slade - Eric Dietrich Brian Carlson - John Beadle John VanDerlaan - Michael VanDerlaan Ben Balter - Chelso Barrett Connor Greenleaf - Jake Shuman Jacquelyn Eleey - Megan Khang Mia Landegren - Nicole Scola
Points 3 2 1⁄2 1 3 1⁄2 0 0 0 1⁄2 3 13 1/2 0 1 1⁄2 2 1⁄2 1 1⁄2 3 3 1⁄2 2 1 1⁄2 3 18 1/2 32
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US Challenge Cup 3rd Annual Charity Golf Classic
For the benefit of: US Challenge Cup Junior Golf and Juvenile Diabetes Research Location: Connecticut National 136 Chase Road, Putnam, CT 06260 Phone: 860-928-7748 Date: Saturday, September 29th, 2012 Cost: $125 per person Info: Dave Adamonis Phone: 401-692-0859 Call today! There’s still time to register! 13
JUNIOR GOLF
T
Connecticut Cruises to Victory
he seven-person team from Connecticut recaptured the New England Junior Amateur Championship title in dominating fashion on Tuesday morning at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown, Mass. Connecticut, which has now won this prestigious title eight of the past 12 years, finished with a three-round total of 3-over par 1068 which was 29 strokes better than the second-place finisher. Entering the third and final round of play, Connecticut held a strong 16-stroke lead over Massachusetts, the 2011 winner of this event. However, the eventual champions made sure that there was no doubt as to the outcome on Tuesday as three out of the seven competitors posted under-par scores on Tuesday. The team was led by the co-winners of the individual stroke play battle, Brian Carlson (Clinton C.C.) and Eddie Hill (Crestbrook Park G.C.), who finished
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with scores of 2-over par 215. And on the final day it was Carlson and Eric Dietrich (Farms C.C.) who led the way with daylow scores of 3-under par 68. Evan Grenus (Glastonbury Hills C.C.) was just one stroke behind them with a score of 2under par 69. Carlson came back the next day to beat Hill in a one-hole playoff for the individual title. So dominant was the team from Connecticut that six out of the seven competitors finished in the top 10 of individual scoring. In addition to Carlson, Hill, Grenus and Dietrich, Jason Hogan (Watertown G.C.) and Brian Butler (Wampanoag G.C.) earned that impressive distinction of finishing in the overall top 10. Filling out the Connecticut team roster this week was Patrick Hallisey (Shuttle Meadow C.C.). Massachusetts, which finished with a final score of 32-over par 1097, was the only other team in the field to have two
Winning Connecticut team players post under-par scores on the final day. Patrick Frodigh (Dedham C&P.C.) and James Park (Crumpin-Fox) carded scores of 2-under par 69 and 1-under par 70 on Tuesday, respectively.
Vermont finished third, while Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island followed in fourth, fifth and sixth place.
1. Brian Carlson (CT), Clinton C.C. 2. Eddie Hill (CT), Crestbrook Park G.C. T3. James Park (MA), Crumpin-Fox Clu T3. Jason Hogan (CT), Watertown G.C. T3. Will Dickson (RI), Ledgemont C.C. 6. Evan Grenus (CT), Glastonbury Hills C.C. T7. Eric Dietrich (CT), Farms C.C. T7. Charlie May (MA), Ferncroft C.C. T9. Patrick Frodigh (MA) Dedham C&P.C. T9. Brian Butler (CT), Wampanoag C.C. T11. Bradford Smith (ME), Brunswick G.C. T11. Ryan Tombs (NH), Manchester C.C. 13. Max Major (VT), Rutland C.C. T14. Ben Hayes (VT), Lake Morey C.C. T14. Patrick Hallisey (CT), Shuttle Meadow C.C. T14. Will Kannegieser (ME), Martindale C.C. T14. Steven Dilisio (MA), Salem C.C. T14. Reese McFarlane (ME), Purpoodock Club 19. Jona Scott (VT), Ralph Myhre C.C. 20. Tyler Slusarczyk (VT), Rutland C.C. 21. Jake Shuman (MA), Blue Hill CC T22. Drake Hull (VT), Rutland C.C. T22. Matthew Paradis (NH), Candia Woods G.L. 24. Nate Choukas (NH), Hanover C.C. T25. Matthew Killam (NH), Newport G.C. T25. John Beadle (MA), Foxborough C.C.
78-69-68 67-74-74 76-70-70 74-70-72 73-67-76 77-72-69 73-78-68 73-72-74 73-78-69 72-73-75 75-76-70 70-76-75 77-70-75 76-74-73 73-76-74 74-74-75 75-71-77 71-74-78 79-75-70 73-76-76 78-74-74 80-71-77 79-70-79 76-75-78 80-73-77 75-74-81
215 215 216 216 216 218 219 219 220 220 221 221 222 223 223 223 223 223 224 225 226 228 228 229 230 230
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WESTERN MASS NOTEBOOK OLEKSAK GOING TO BOSTON COLLEGE Agawam High School senior Patrick Oleksak has made a verbal commitment to play Division I golf at Boston College. Oleksak is a two-time state tournament qualifier who competed over the summer at the Optimist International and the Massachusetts Amateur and Junior (top 20 finish) championships. “I pretty much thought I was going to UConn all along, but then BC came up,” Oleksak said. “It’ll be a great opportunity to play in the ACC, against teams like Duke and North Carolina.” BC is coached by Bill Poutre, who coached Oleksak’s older brother A.J. at the University of Hartford. Oleksak was offered a partial scholarship. “When I was younger, I’d follow A.J. at his tournaments and the coach would always talk to me,” Oleksak said. Oleksak finished second at the U.S. Challenge Cup’s Gately Cup, played for Team Massachusetts in the New England Junior Team Championships and represented Team New England in a two-day match with Team USA as part of the Deutsche Bank Championships over Labor Day weekend. Oleksak will sign his National Letter of Intent during the official signing period in November.
TED TERRIFIC East Mountain C.C. head pro Ted Perez Jr. qualified for the Senior PGA Professional Championship. Perez finished fourth at the 61st Senior Connecticut PGA Championship and national qualifier. He used a back-nine 34 to post a 5-over 75 to finish fourth at The Club at River Oaks in Sherman, Conn. Perez advanced along with tournament champion Fran Marrello, Bob Kay and Ralph Salito. The championship takes place at Creighton Farms in Aldie, Va., and River Creek Club in Leesburg, Va., Oct. 11-14.
HAPPY 25TH A quarter century has passed since Michelle McGann was the toast of Orchards Golf Club and the junior golf world. Before winning seven times on the LPGA Tour, the “golfer with the stylish hats” won the 1987 U.S. Girls Junior at
the Donald Ross design in South Hadley. “I think about it all the time,” McGann said of that August week. “The medal they gave you was made so you could wear it and I think about it anytime someone wins any kind of USGA championship. Your name is on the trophy, it’s in (the USGA’s Golf House) Far Hills (N.J.). It’s so special.” McGann was one of the headliners in the field, as a high school junior who won three Florida state titles. “Michelle arrived with pretty good credentials, she had such a presence,” said Bob Bontempo, the head golf professional at Orchards G.C. at the time. By week’s end, McGann was a 7-and-5 winner over Lynne Mikulas of California in the final. She had defeated Vicki Goetze of Georgia with an 8-and-6 win in the semifinals. None of her six matches reached the 17th hole. “I really felt untouchable, that nobody was going to beat me,” McGann said. “And winning it helped me get to where I did in my career. It’s the highest point you can get as a junior, and it was pretty much the end of my amateur career.” McGann, 42, does not play competitively anymore, instead playing for “fun and for (diabetes) charity.” She married two years ago and spent the summer helping her family run Cape Neddick (Maine) C.C. “I haven’t played the Orchards since I won there . . . it is not too far from where I am. I’d love to go back,” McGann said
By RUSS HELD
HALL OF FAME The Western Mass. Golf Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012 will be inducted Oct. 5 at Wyckoff C.C. in Holyoke Wyckoff C.C. pro Tony Kelley, former LPGA Tour player Michelle Dobek and longtime Springfield municipal golf course superintendent Dino Frigo are among the five members of the incoming class The late Jimmy Nichols (Westover G.C.) and Jimmy Young (Orchards G.C.) will be enshrined posthumously Tickets are $85 for a 12:30 p.m. shotgun and dinner, or $35 for dinneronly. Contact E.J. Altobello at eja@pga. com or (413) 297-2008. Russ Held is the long-time golf writer for The Republican in Springfield and is co-host of the Western Mass. Golf Show on WEEI.
Patrick Oleksak
Target Your Audience in SNE Golfer! For advertising information, call Bruce Vittner at 401-464-8445 or email bruce@snegolfer.com.
HOT SHOTS Marie Napolitan set the women’s course record of 1-under-par 71 at St. Anne C.C. in Feeding Hills on Aug. 21. Two days earlier, she had carded a 72 to match the previous best score of 72 held by Betty Bubois . . . East Longmeadow’s John Sapia, 76, made the sixth hole-in-one of his career. He used a sand wedge at the 85-yard 12th hole at Cold Spring C.C. in Belchertown on Aug. 14 . . . Vinny Moretti of Agawam made a double-eagle at the par-5 16th hole at Oak Ridge G.C. He used a driver and a 5-iron, while playing with Dave and Anthony Moretti . . . Justin Bard began his day at Shaker Farms C.C. in Westfield with a double-eagle. He hit driver, 5-iron at the first hole on Aug. 23 . . . Pete Alminas of East Longmeadow and A.J. Oleksak of Agawam teamed to win the Little Brown Jug at Wahconah C.C. in Dalton.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
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By BRUCE BERLET
CARON WINS CT OPEN Jason Caron isn’t the most famous state golfer in his family, but he was No. 1 in the Connecticut Open at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. And Jason and wife Liz certainly showed a sense of humor after the husband in the soon-to-be growing family won his first major title since three victories on the Hooters Tour in 1999. When asked how much of the $10,000 first prize was going to go toward buying diapers, Jason smiled and said, “Probably most of it. We’ll definitely have a lot of stuff to get for the baby, so we’re excited.” When asked about her husband ending his victory drought, the former Liz Janangelo, winner of a record five straight Connecticut Women’s Amateur Championships and record four Connecticut Women’s Opens, quipped, “If I’d known he was going to win, I’d have gotten pregnant sooner.” Liz, an All-American and member of two national championship teams at Duke who left the LPGA Tour after the 2010 season, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child on Jan. 19, which is good timing considering the two are taking the winter off and not returning to Jupiter, Fla., where they got married on Jan. 8, 2011. Liz gave a few lessons at nearby Rockrimmon C.C. in Stamford on the morning of the Connecticut Open’s final round, then drove to Wee Burn and hid behind a tree as Jason finished off a 1-under-par 71 for a 54-hole total of 2under 214 and a one-stroke victory over four-time champion Kyle Gallo. “Watching didn’t work when I watched other times,” Liz said with a smile. But it was good luck this time. Jason hit a deft 16
CT NOTEBOOK pitch-and-run out of U.S. Open-type rough on the par-5 18th hole to the back of a two-tiered green and two-putted from 15 feet for a par that clinched the victory in his second tournament appearance. Besides providing plenty of funds for diapers, the $10,000 first-place check was a belated birthday present since Caron turned 40 a week earlier. “It’s kind of surprising,” said Caron, who began the day one back of co-leaders Danny Balin and amateur Jeff Hatten. “I didn’t have a number (to shoot) in mind. I kept telling myself that if I got to 4 or 5 under then even if you stumble a bit coming in you could still pull it off. But the golf course played really hard, and we got lucky that it rained a little and softened the greens a bit.” Still, Gallo’s 69 was the only sub-70 score in the final round among the 45 players who made the cut, and 11 players failed to break 80, including two-time winner Ken Green. But the former PGA and Champions Tour player said he was happy with an 80 for 233 and a tie for 34th while playing with a prosthesis and as little pain as he has had since a horrific RV accident three years ago caused the death of his brother, girlfriend and dog and loss of part of his right leg. Caron, who played on the PGA, Nationwide (now Web.com) and Hooters tours after turning pro in 1994, now practices and plays with his wife, when not teaching others, with added confidence. “She’s so good it’s amazing, and I only hear how good she was when she was young,” said Jason, who is in his first year teaching at Siwanoy C.C. in Bronxville, N.Y. “When I go play with her it’s amazing how perfect her golf swing is. She’s always got great tempo and a great short game. Hopefully the baby gets some of her talents.” Liz gave up full-time competitive golf because of the weekly grind and finding a terrific job at Rockrimmon C.C., where she has helped expand the women’s and junior programs while not having to worry about the next four-footer for par. And nowadays, when the couple leaves their home in Greenwich, Jason drives about 20 minutes to Siwanoy and Liz about 20 minutes the other way to Rockrimmon. “We don’t get to play too much,” Liz said. “Monday is our day off, and we usually go to the movies or do laundry. I just play mostly fun golf,” Liz said. But not always. Three weeks after Jason’s win,
Liz made it a Caron daily double when she shot 4-under 140 (71-69) for a threestroke victory over Ashley Gersten of Burning Tree C.C. in Greenwich in the PGA Metropolitan Women’s Stroke Play Championship at Rockrimmon.
THREE MORE SECONDS FOR GALLO Five days after the Connecticut Open, Gallo finished second again, this time to former PGA and Nationwide player John Elliott in the Manchester Open at Manchester C.C. Elliott birdied the first five holes and eight of the first 10 on the way to a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke victory over Gallo, who three-putted the par-3 18th to lose a shot at a playoff for the $4,000 first prize. Elliott, a native of Bristol now living in Westerly, R.I., made a 12-foot par putt at No. 18 for what turned out to be the decisive stroke. Elliott excelled with a putter that he borrowed from Dave Tiedemann, the pro at Shelter Harbor G.C. in Charlestown, R.I. “He doesn’t want it back; he’s not getting it back,” said a smiling Elliott, who needed only 23 putts. A year ago, Elliott tied for third, but this time he got to deliver on a request from his 5-year-old son Blake to bring the trophy home. Web.com Tour players Geoff Sisk, Adam D’Amario, Eric Egloff, Mark Stevens, Jason Thresher and Billy Downes tied for third at 68. And the runner-up finishes didn’t end there for Gallo, who also finished second in the Rhode Island Open (three behind URI grad Jesse Larson) and Boston Open (one back of Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani).
MARRELLO QUALIFIES FOR TWO NATIONAL EVENTS Paul Barnsley of Race Brook C.C. in Orange and PGA Life Member, and Connecticut Golf Hall of Famer Fran Marrello qualified for the 2013 PGA Professional National Championship by finishing first and second in the Connecticut PGA Professional Championship at Wampanoag C.C. in West Hartford. After opening with two bogeys in the final round, Barnsley birdied four of seven holes, starting at No. 9, to close with a 2-under 70 and 36-hole total of 3-under 141 for a one-stroke victory over Marrello and Mark Farrell (H. Smith
Richardson G.C.-Fairfield). Marrello, the reigning Connecticut PGA Player of the Year, birdied the 14th and 15th holes, while Farrell made a bogey at No. 13 and double-bogey 6 at No. 14 to wipe out birdies at the 11th, 12th and 15th holes. Marrello then bogeyed the first playoff hole, the 18th, to beat Farrell and earn the second spot in the national championship June 23-26 at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Ore. The top 20 finishers in the nationals qualify for the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill C.C. in Rochester, N.Y. Three weeks later, Marrello shot a 2under 68 for a three-stroke victory over host pro Ralph Salito and Bob Kay (Tumble Brook C.C.-Bloomfield) in the Senior Connecticut PGA Championship at The Club at River Oaks in Sherman. Marrello’s third straight tournament win qualified him for the Senior PGA Professional National Championship on Oct. 11-14 at Creighton Farms in Aldie, Va., and River Creek Club in Leesburg, Va. He will be joined by Salito and Ted Perez (East Mountain C.C.-Westfield, Mass.), who finished fourth at 75. Kyle Bilodeau (Race Brook C.C.Orange) shot even-par 144 for 36 holes for a one-stroke victory over D’Amario in the Connecticut PGA Assistant Championship at Bull’s Bridge G.C. in South Kent. Bilodeau, D’Amario and playoff winner Tim Buczak (Quarry Ridge G.C.-Portland), who shot 146 along with Michael Nordstrom (Springfield C.C.) and Bradley Lusenhop (Fox Hopyard G.C.-East Haddam), qualified for the PGA Assistant Championship on Nov. 1-4 at The PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Tim Quirk and assistant Steve Alminas (Longmeadow C.C.) combined to shoot a 6-under 64 for a one-stroke victory over Bill Whaley and Ryan Harbour (TPC River Highlands) in the section’s ProAssistant Championship at Madison C.C.
SCARROZZO FINALLY WINS N.E. PUBLIC LINKS After four runner-up finishes, Tom Scarrozzo finally reached the winner’s circle in the New England Public Links Championship, shooting 2-over 146 for 36 holes to edge fellow Nutmegger Kevin Josephson by a stroke at Triggs Memorial G.C. in Providence. “It took so long to win this,” said Scarrozzo, 55, of Blue Fox Run G.C. in
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
CT NOTEBOOK Avon. “It’s a major achievement to see New England in front of your name.” Scarrrozzo birdied the 16th and 17th holes in the final round to overcome Josephson (Stanley G.C.-New Britain). A bogey at No. 18 merely sliced his margin of victory in half. In the team competition, Blue Fox Run finished second to Triggs Memorial. Brian Ahern made a 30-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the second playoff hole to beat Dave Szewczul and win a second CSGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Hop Meadow C.C. in Simsbury. Ahern (Wampanoag C.C.) made an eagle 3 on the sixth hole and birdied the 17th in a closing, 2-over 74 for a 54-hole total of 3over 219 before adding a third state title to his resume. He previously won the 1999 CSGA Amateur and 2010 CSGA MidAmateur. Szewczul, the 1996 champion from Tunxis Plantation C.C. in Farmington in line to win a fourth CSGA Senior Player of the Year Award, lipped out four birdie bids in the final seven holes and had to settle for 74. Anthony Scott (Tashua Knolls G.C.-Trumbull), Zach Stennett (Tallwood C.C.-Hebron) and Philip Perry (Black Hall Club-Old Lyme) tied for third at 221. Ahern, CSGA Amateur winner Matt Smith (Quinnatissett C.C.-Thompson) and Ray Floyd Jr. (Innis Arden G.C.Greenwich), son of former PGA and Champions Tour standout Ray Floyd, qualified to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Golf Association Men’s State Team Championship on Sept. 19-21 at Galloway National G.C. in Galloway, N.J. Shawn McLoughlin (Ridgewood C.C.Danbury) shot a 1-under 71 for a onestroke victory over Richard Blakeslee (Laurel View C.C.-Hamden) and Dick Weigold (Torrington C.C.) in the CSGA Super Senior Championship at Heritage Village C.C. in Southbury. Dr. Bob Ruby and son Brendan (Madison C.C.) combined to shoot a 5under 67 for a two-stroke victory over Mark and Michael Smith of the host club in the CSGA Father-Son Championship at Wampanoag C.C. Ben Hunter (Sterling Farms G.C.Stamford) made a 12-foot birdie putt on the first playoff to give him and Kamaiu Johnson (Seminole G.C. at FSU) the title in the CSGA Four-Ball Championship at The Course at Yale in New Haven. The two had combined to shoot a 5-under
65 and get into a playoff with the teams of Will Rubinow-K.J. Camera, Chuck Stupakevich-Todd Tremaglio and Cooper Stainbrook-Brad Kushner. Jen Holland (Lyman Orchards G.C.Middlefield) and Mary Mesek (Timberlin) combined for a 1-over 75 and a one-stroke victory over Mimi Schreck (CWGA) and Darlene Tranquilli (CWGA) in the CSGA Women’s Four-Ball Tournament at Orange Hills C.C.
CARLSON, HILL LEAD CONNECTICUT TO N.E. JUNIOR TITLE Co-medalists Brian Carlson (Clinton C.C.) and Eddie Hill (Crestbrook G.G.Watertown) led Connecticut to a record 29-stroke victory in the New England Junior Championship at Taconic G.C. in Williamstown, Mass. Connecticut, which won for the eighth time in the past 12 years, finished with a three-round total of 1,069 to easily outdistance defending champion Massachusetts. Carlson and Eric Dietrich (The Farms C.C.-Wallingford) each shot 3-under 68 and Evan Grenus (Glastonbury Hills C.C.) had 69 on the final day as the winners expanded their lead from 16 to 29 strokes. Carlson and Hill shared first at 2-over 215 as six of Connecticut’s seven players finished in the top 10. Carlson won a playoff on the first hole to capture the individual title. In addition to Carlson and Hill, Jason Hogan (Watertown G.C.) tied for third at 216, Grenus was sixth at 218, Detrich tied for seventh at 219 and Brian Butler (Wampanoag C.C.) shared ninth at 220. The other member of the winning team was Patrick Hallisey (Shuttle Meadow C.C.-Kensington), who tied for 14th at 223.
LANDEGREN WINS WOMEN’S AMATEUR Mia Landegren used local course knowledge and a clutch birdie on the penultimate hole for a scoring record in the Connecticut State Women’s Amateur Championship at Ridgewood C.C. Just weeks before starting her senior year at Shepaug Valley High School, Landegren shot 2-over 146 to set a 36hole tournament record and beat Maggie Kennedy by three strokes. The event was reduced from 54 to 36 holes when the second round was washed out.
Landegren had a four-stroke lead after an opening 72 and wasn’t seriously challenged until making three bogeys in five holes before hitting a 5-iron to 8 feet to set up a birdie 2 at No. 14 in becoming another teen-aged winner. It also was vindication for 2011 at Timberlin G.C., where the 16-year-old shared the lead with five holes left but had three-putt bogeys at Nos. 14, 15 and 17 and made a double-bogey 6 at the 18th to fall into third. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Kelly Whaley rallied to beat Ellie Dutch by a stroke but was unable to defend because she had started her first year (she’s a sophomore) at the IMG International Junior Golf Academy in Hilton Head, S.C. The 26-year-old Kennedy (Rockledge G.C.-West Hartford), a 2009 Dartmouth grad who played on the women’s hockey team that got to the NCAA Elite Eight three times, closed with 73, the low score in the second round, for 149, nine ahead of Elizabeth DiVincentis (Shuttle Meadow C.C.-Kensington), who finished ninth in the Division IV Boys Championship for Berlin High. Dutch (Fox Hopyard-East Lyme) tied for fourth with Linda Lyons (Timberlin G.C.) at 161.
By BRUCE BERLET community service and character. Fortynine Widdy Neale scholarship recipients currently attend colleges. DiVincentis, a graduate of Coginchaug High in Durham who will be a freshman at Georgetown, received the $1,500 Ryan T. Lee Memorial Scholarship. Lee was a former member of the Berlin High and Long Island University golf teams who died on April 26, 2011. A second tournament in his honor at Timberlin G.C. raised money for the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Foundation. Others who benefitted from the event were three students from Berlin: Victoria Fagan (LIU), Trafford Underwood (Eastern Connecticut Univ.) and Colin King (Endicott), who each received $1,000. The Boys Club of New Britain also received $2,500. Bruce Berlet is the former sportswriter for the Hartford Courant and a long-time member of the Golf Writers Assn. of America. He has compiled more information this month and it is at www.snegolfer.com/breakingstories.
10 RECEIVE CSGA SCHOLARSHIPS The CSGA awarded Widdy Neale Scholarships to John Ayers, Old Saybrook and Fox Hopyard G.C., Central Connecticut State University; Victoria Fagan, Kensington and Timberlin G.C., Long Island Univ.; Michael Ford, Cheshire and New Haven C.C., Campbell Univ.; Corrin Gosselin, Simsbury and Simsbury Farms, UConn; Matthew Hanrahan, Danbury and Richter Park G.C., Catholic Univ.; Michael Johnson, South Glastonbury and Black Hall Club, Fairfield Univ.; Kelsey Kirkpatrick, Hebron and Tallwood C.C., Assumption College; Brooke Nethercott, Greenwich and Milbrook Club-Windsor, University of Hartford; Julie Orenstein, West Hartford and Wampanoag C.C., Boston College; and Dylan Rupp, Suffield and Suffield C.C., Furman Univ. The scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, are given to graduating high school seniors who work at CSGA member clubs in positions serving the golf program and/or serving golfers. Recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, scholarship, school and
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
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CHARITY GOLF
By BRUCE BERLET
T
First Tee of Connecticut
housands of individuals and companies have helped develop the one-of-a-kind First Tee of Connecticut practice/teaching facility adjacent the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, home of the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship. But one person has been the guiding force and light behind a First Tee chapter that’s the largest of the more than 200 in the country, serving about 50,000 youngsters annually. “He’d never say it, but this is Ted May’s baby,” TFTCT president and executive director David Polk said. “This would never have taken place without his vision and leadership.” May, whose father Ed was a cofounder of the 1952 Insurance City Open at Wethersfield Country Club that has morphed into the Travelers Championship, started The First Tee of Hartford in 1995 with a “clubs for kids” program with former Mayor Mike Peters at Goodwin Golf Course in the south end. Ted helped expand the program into a statewide organization and hired another former Greater Hartford Open chairman, Bruce Wilson, as its first executive director who was mainly in charge of fundraising. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem thought so much of what the program accomplished so quickly that he told May that it should become part of the First Tee’s national program. May & Co. branched out into other communities and then merged with the Connecticut State Golf Association’s Connecticut Golf Foundation to become an umbrella organization that carried the state’s First Tee banner. Then in 2002, Northeast Utilities and Connecticut Light and Power donated about 100 acres of land north of TPC River Highlands for $1 and a nominal lease plan with the stipulation that it be used more than just the week the PGA Tour made its annual visit for the state’s largest sporting event. “They wanted something that had a benefit to the community year-round, and that’s when we proposed The First Tee move (to Cromwell),” May said. Former GHO honorary chairman Karl Krapek and his family became a national First Tee trustee and donated $500,000 18
for what has become the learning links dedicated to youngsters and comprised of 13 tees and four greens that can provide numerous holes of varying distances and pars. David and Geri Epstein of Westport then donated an additional $500,000 on top of their original $1 million, half of which was earmarked for the learning center that opened in early September. Geri and her husband, who died of cancer on Dec. 15, 2010, Krapek and John Lundgren are Connecticut’s three national First Tee trustees. The Epsteins’ additional $500,000 donation put TFTCT over the $1 million plateau needed to build a 7,500-square-foot learning center adjacent the new 23-acre practice facility that opened in 2008 and the Karl Krapek Family Learning Links, which debuted in 2010. Joe Louis Barrow Jr., son of former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis and CEO of The First Tee national organization that has more than five million youngsters in 50 states and six countries, said the learning center in Cromwell makes the three-prong facility unique. “This is the brightest, shiniest jewel in our crown of First Tee facilities in this country or the world,” Barrow said. “We probably have five or six facilities that have a learning center and a course, but nothing like this. Without question, this is the most special facility we have in the entire network because of the proximity of the Krapek course. The learning center features two classrooms and computer labs, three hitting bays, a putting green and simulator, a large-screen TV, projector and drop screen for videos and instruction, TFTCT’s administrative offices and a family viewing area/patio that includes a tee with artificial turf where people can watch exhibitions or participate in long drive and/or closest-tothe-pin contests to fairways and greens on the adjacent course. The Connecticut Golf Foundation has been handling youth development programs since 2000, and its mission is to positively impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through golf.
Young players develop their skills at First Tee. New building is at top of hill. The First Tee’s nine core values are honesty, integrity, respect, sportsmanship, courtesy, judgment, confidence, responsibility and perseverance. Krapek said the vision of Northeast Utilities, the Greater Hartford Jaycees led by May, chairman of the TFTCT board of directors, the Travelers Championship and TPC River Highlands have led to “an amazing thing.” “This really is the best facility in the country,” Krapek said. “And I knew Mr. Epstein from when we flew back from a national trustees outing. He was sick at the time, but when he passed, his wife said he loved this organization so much that they were going to do it (donate) again for the building. It’s amazing.” So, too, are investors/supporters such as D.J. Gregory, who has Cerebral Palsy but has walked every hole of every PGA Tour event since the start of the 2008 season and donated $56,000 to TFTCT the last two years from his Walking For Kids Foundation. “The purpose of my foundation is to give to children and core values,” Gregory said. “I love The First Tee. I love what it stands for, that it teaches the most important aspects of life in a good way. ... I don’t walk for a living. I play for a living. I’m very fortunate and appreciate how much I enjoy things through what I do because I can do more for people.” “I like to tell people that 10 years ago this was a gravel pit and a dirt road, and now it’s a first-class practice facility,” May said. “And it has all happened within 10
years because of a partnership between The First Tee of Connecticut, the commitment of our board, the PGA Tour, TPC River Highlands, Travelers Championship, Northeast Utilities and CL&P. Everybody had a piece in this, but the master plan from the beginning was to include The First Tee along with the whole renovation of the practice facility. “The Travelers Championship sees us as a strategic partner – and likewise. And so does the PGA Tour. But day in and day out, David runs the operations, everything from the kids and the kids’ programming to what we do at the board level to building the center. And Bruce did a great job to the point that we could take the next step thanks to our three major donors – Karl Krapek, the Epstein family and the State of Connecticut.” Polk, who succeeded Wilson two and a half years ago, stressed the importance of the pro bono and “at cost” work of 40 individuals and vendors such as Ken Baldwin at Robinson and Cole (legal work), Newington Mayor Steve Woods at Stonehedge Landscaping Co., Bruce Peterson at Shaw Floor Covering, Otis Elevator, Carrier Corporation, O&G Construction, Connecticut Lighting Centers, Lighting Affiliates, Kohler, JeldWen and Babbidge Facilities Construction Company, all of whom donated either time, money, services and material toward the construction of the learning center.
Continued on page 34
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
SNE GOLFER
S
Golf Appreciation Day
outhern New England Golfer and the Southern New England Golf Radio Show that is heard each Saturday and Sunday on WEEI, 103.7 FM are combining to host a Readers and Listeners Golf Appreciation Day on September 25, 2012 at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth, Mass. This outing will be a fun-packed day with 18 holes of golf and cart with a noon shotgun start followed by a great cookout after the round. Most of the writers from the paper and the three hosts from the radio show will be there to welcome you and say thanks for listening to the radio show and reading the paper. Crestwood Country Club has undergone a metamorphisis over the past year under the ownership of Joe Moniz. Moniz has partnered with the radio show and the publication to help promote the good things that are happening at Crestwood, and this is a perfect time for you to see
what a great course it is. The course just hosted a professional event in conjunction with the Providence Open and David Adamonis, Jr. The day will be one of relaxation and enjoyment of the game of golf. Each player will play his/her own ball. There will be prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive and there will be a blind draw to determine winners. No pressure is the motto of the day. We have many couples that have already signed up. Leagues are using this as their end of year event. What a great way to cap off a great season of golf in southern New England. The cost for the day is only $75. You can contact Bruce Vittner at 401-464-8445 or email him at bruce@snegolfer.com to get more information. There are still plenty of spots available as we have Crestwood for the whole afternoon. If you wish to mail in an entry you can use this entry form.
GOLF APPRECIATION DAY Tuesday, September 25, 2012 Crestwood C.C. Rehoboth, Mass.
Name of Player___________________________________________ Street Address____________________________________________ City, State, Zip___________________________________________ Telephone_______________________________________________ Email___________________________________________________ Please enclose a check for $75 for each player made out to Southern New England Golfer. Send to Southern New England Golfer, PO Box 10038, Cranston, RI 02910. Checks must be sent by Sept. 20. Call 401-464-8445 with any questions.
Crestwood Country Club
is a premium, private country club located in the scenic, rolling pastures of Rehoboth, MA—just 15 minutes from Providence and Fall River! With a variety of golf, social and pool events, Crestwood offers something for all of our members and guests. Pool & Social Memberships are available! Crestwood also hosts special events of up to 250 guests—whether you’re planning your wedding, shower or any other event, Crestwood will treat you and your guests to a gorgeous landscape, delicious cuisine and excellent service.
Crestwood is now offering a limited number of Trial Memberships!
This is a great opportunity for you to enjoy the atmosphere, all of the ameni�es and the lush golf course of a premium, private Country Club! Best of all, there’s NO ini�a�on fee and NO assessments, GUARANTEED!
90 Wheeler Street ◦ Rehoboth, Massachuse�s, 02769 ◦ 508.336.8582 x100 ◦ www.crestwoodcc.com ◦ SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
facebook.com/crestwoodcc 19
DEUTSCH BANK CHAMPIONSHIP Rickie Fowler was missing. Actually he was just in signing his scorecard. His mediocre performance kept him off the Ryder Cup team.
Ernie Els pictured here after the second round. “I need to take more Advil.” He finished in the middle of the pack.
Phil Mickelson was close all week and finished with a 66 to tie for fourth. Tiger Woods was close all week after opening with a 64, but he finished two strokes back in third.
THANK YOU! Deutsch Bank Championship Volunteers
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SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
DEUTSCH BANK CHAMPIONSHIP Chris Kirk birdied 4 of the last 5 holes to make it to the BMW. “I thought the worst that could happen if I didn’t make it, is that I’d go home to my wife and child and that’s a great thing.” Keegan Bradley thought he had missed the cut after shooting 71-73, but the cutline fell to 2-over and he finished 63-69 to tie for 13th. He had cleaned out his locker and was planning his flight when he found he made the cut. Dustin Johnson finished tied for fourth. His strong play and long drives earned him a spot on the Ryder Cup.
Rory McIlroy made up a three-stroke deficit to sneak by Louis Oosthuizen by one stroke shooting two 65’s and two 67’s.
Brandt Snedeker finished sixth. His play the last few tournaments earned him a Ryder Cup spot.
Seung-Yul Noh, 21 from So. Korea, shot an opening 62 to take the lead but a third round 75 dropped him to a tie for 13. SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
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By KATHARINE DYSON
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The New Faces in Women’s Golf
ou turn on your television to catch some LPGA action and you search to find what U.S. women are in the hunt. Sadly you can only fine a couple. Or so you think. Maybe you should look again. Just when we figured out how to pronounce Gulbis, Ochoa and Gustafson, sing-song, tongue-twisting names like Jiyai Shin, Inbee Park, Eun-Hee Ji, Na Yeon Choi and Song-Hee Kim are appearing on the top of the leaderboard. There are players from Taiwan, Japan and Thailand and more than 40 Koreans who have qualified to play in this year’s LPGA. In the top 20 on the money list, eight are Koreans and four are Americans (Stacy Lewis, Angela Stanford, Brittany Lang and Cristie Kerr). It all started in 1998 when Se Ri Pak from South Korean burst onto the scene to win the U.S. Women’s Open. It was a definite “Ah Ha” moment for South
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WOMEN’S GOLF
Korean parents who grasped a bright new opportunity for their daughters and families. Pulling their girls out of public schools, they enrolled them in golf schools, often when the girls were only eight to 10 years old, their small bodies just starting to mature. It may seem harsh measures tor American moms and dads who hustle their kids from ballet lessons, to soccer to play dates and Disney but South Korean parents do everything they can to encourage their children to excel in a field including pushing them hard when necessary. Even when they have “made it” on the tour circuit, the Korean girls remain tough and disciplined, often practicing well after the others have called it a day. If you look at the caddies who work the hardest,” says David Brooker who has caddied for Ji Eun (Grace) Park, Lorena Ochoa, Suzann Pettersen and Natalie Gulbis, “It’s the guys who caddy for the
South Koreans. “They use spirit levels on the greens and may take up to eight hours to measure the courses. They have to pace off the chips and putts, measure the slopes. Their players want all the numbers.” Earning more than a million dollars this year, Inbee Park (24) and Na Yeon Choi (25), both started playing when they were ten years old and by 2008 had already earned more than a million dollars—making their parents proud. But they could be considered veterans when you put them up against Lydia Ko, 15, of New Zealand who just won the Canadian Open, the youngest winner in LPGA history, breaking Lexi Thompson’s record. Ko held the huge trophy high, but as an amateur, she had to forgo the $300,000 prize money missing out on a huge payday. Ko, born in Korea but growing up in New Zealand, is now the world’s top amateur; hitting the headlines earlier this year when she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur beating another talented youngster, Ariya Jutanugarn, 16, of Thailand. With her mother as her caddy, Ko never expected to win. She, like many young golfers was looking for experience. Still, she earned it, typically practicing up to 35 hours a week. And she was the best that week. ‘’To be the best you have to work the hardest,’’ she has said. Ko is now back in New Zealand, back to classes with her friends but it seems inevitable she will eventually turn pro and be able to cash in on her talent. So where are all the U.S. players? Well there’s Paula Creamer with her long blond hair and bright smile, Brittany Lang and the willowly teen prodigy, Lexi Thompson, now 17. These are faces we can relate to. But what about upcoming amateurs Karen Chung, 17, Marijosse Navarro, 15, Cherokee Kim, 16, and Erynne Lee, 19 and LPGA pros Danielle Kang, Vicky Hurst, Mina Harigae, Jennie Lee, Michelle Wie, and Christina Kim? These girls may look Asian, may have Asian names, but they are all Americans. They just happen to have Asian heritage and most were born here. Indeed when Vickey Hurst’s mother, Koko, a native Korean, was completing a round of golf at
Se Ri Pak was the ground breaker for South Koreans Andrews AFB near Washington, D.C., her water broke and Vicky was born soon after in the base hospital. Talk about a golfing family. Sorting out the American women from the rest of the field is like defining a mulligan stew. After a good cook-up, all the ingredients complement the others, become one, enriching the mix. What is exciting are the fresh new faces in women’s golf reflecting a multitude of backgrounds whether they be Americans, South Koreans, Thais or other nationalites. No matter where they’re from, it would seem that what should matter most is their talent, their ability to succeed and to show us great golf. These are the new faces of women’s golf. It may not be easy to tell a Kim from a Kim from a Kim from a Choi from a Choi but be careful before you speak. You may be talking about the girl next door, a girl from California or New Jersy. We are after all, a nation of immigrants. Katharine Dyson is a member of the Golf Writers of America, the Golf Travel Writers of America and writes a Women’s column in each issue of Southern New England Golfer.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
By KEN JEREMIAH
GOLF INSTRUCTION
Eliminating Anger on the Golf Course
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here are many players out there that could be great, but they allow anger to ruin their chances of playing their best. They focus intently on one bad shot and they thereby ruin the rest of their games. Their preshot routine tends to speed up, their swing tempo changes, and even their course strategy changes, since they are no longer thinking rationally or clearly. Such changes invariably lead to more poor shots, and it is difficult to stop this downward spiral. Soon, golfers start to think that they are unable to hit a good shot again and that their entire games are gone. However, this downward spiral can be easily prevented. In golf, it is essential to stay in the present. If anger is allowed to grow and fester, it is only because the golfer has not remained in the present. How could a player possibly be angry at a shot that had been already hit if his
or her mind were no longer there? Anger can only fester when a player makes a conscious decision to no longer stay focused on the present and to dwell on mistakes of the past. Golfers must remain in the present, and they must quit anger as soon as it appears. Otherwise, they will play poorly. DeProspero and DeProspero explained how anger can destroy skill in Japanese archery in their book Illuminated Spirit: “If we get angry when we are shooting poorly it only makes things worse. Everyone knows this but when we are caught up in a tense situation, irritation can blind us to reason. Anger does not dissipate when you set down the bow in disgust. It only festers inside you, growing stronger until it can be released in another, often totally unrelated situation.” In order to curb the effects of anger, is important to recognize that human beings
by nature are imperfect creatures. It is therefore natural that we become angry sometimes. However, it is important to understand that we all can control our reactions to that anger, and we can decide to quit it just as easily as we can allow it to remain and fester. If we choose the former, we have won, and anger cannot control or influence our subsequent actions. If we choose the latter, though, it will dominate us, control our actions, and lead to poor performance and misfortune. Tiger Woods utilizes the ten step rule: It is okay to become angry when you hit a poor shot, but after ten steps you must quit it and focus on the next shot. This technique can help you to stay in the present. Another useful technique is to concentrate on the breath. After each shot take three deep, relaxing breaths, inhaling and exhaling fully. Once those breaths have been completed, start looking ahead to the next shot to be played. Never look back.
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In this way, you will remain in the present and your golf game will substantially improve. Ken Jeremiah is a golf professional. His newest book is entitled Living Buddhas: The Self-Mummified Monks of Yamagata, Japan (McFarland, 2010).He can be contacted via e-mail at kjeremiah@pga.com.
Listen to the Golf Radio Show every Saturday at 7 a.m. on WEEI in Springfield and Worcester. In Providence listen on Saturday at 6 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m.
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By BOB DICESARE Olde Scotland Links New Clubhouse
Since its 1997 opening, a round of golf at Olde Scotland Links in Bridgewater has always been a pleasurable activity. However, the same couldn’t be said about the postround experience. That all changed in August. Olde Scotland Links now boasts a sparkling new 5,900 square-foot clubhouse after a dedicated, two-year volunteer labor effort. No more trailers and portable toilets. Also, no more limited food and beverage options at a snack shack tent. Now there are spacious restrooms, a retail pro shop, 28-seat bar and grill, an outdoor patio with surrounding deck that can accommodate 60 people, and a 160-seat function hall for year-round events. It all complements the popularity of the golf course, a municipal links-style gem designed by Brian Silva and a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which has also been regionally recognized by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as an excellent value for the money. However, there are no locker rooms and no memberships at Olde Scotland Links, only season passes and daily greens fees, as the Bridgewater Golf Commission studied figures from the past several years and
EASTERN MASS NOTEBOOK concluded that 86 percent of the greens fees came from out-of-town golfers. “We finally filled in a major piece of the puzzle,” said Charlie Simonds, superintendent of recreation for the town of Bridgewater for the last 18 years and also director of golf at Olde Scotland Links. “People would come to play golf here, then go someplace else afterward. This makes it a more fulfilling experience.” “We now have the capability to host more charity tournaments and corporate outings,” added Simonds. “We were losing business because we didn’t have an indoor facility. Now, Olde Scotland Links is a place to bring people. We’re hoping businesses in the town utilize the facility because it’ll only benefit the town.” An original proposal in 2002 to build a larger clubhouse than today’s structure was struck down by a town study commission because of weakening finances, and the plan was stalled for several years. In 2009, the Bridgewater Golf Commission was formed under the town’s recreation department to oversee the course on a daily basis. Simonds came up with a restructured proposal to build a clubhouse on a volunteer basis to save money on labor, which was approved. Among the various volunteers who worked on the project for more than two years were local tradesmen and students from Bristol-Plymouth Regional High School, who performed the majority of the electrical and carpentry work. “The students from Bristol-Plymouth did a great job,” said Bob McDonough, a BGC advisor. “It was like a hands-on internship for them, and it’s something that they can put on their resume.” After receiving final approval for all inspections and licenses, it seemed only fitting that Simonds helped christen the clubhouse’s unofficial grand opening in August. Simonds runs a Thursday Night League at Olde Scotland Links, and following the season’s final match on that day, golfers celebrated with a dinner in the clubhouse function room. Of course, the real feature attraction is still the golf course itself. Much of that credit goes to course superintendent James Small III and his assistant, Tom Rioux, who maintain the fescue layout. “It’s a diamond in the rough for the town,” said McDonough. “It has a private feel and the completion of the clubhouse really makes it worth something now.”
Khang in Dominating Form
Fourteen-year-old phenom Megan Khang of Rockland returned home from a series of national tournaments across the country this summer and recorded two impressive victories in the Bay State, as well as being a member of a winning team competition. Khang shot a 4-under-par 140 (7070) at Braintree Municipal G.C. to win
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Photo credit—Joe Pitta
New Clubhouse at Olde Scotland Links the championship flight of the Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts Junior Championship for the second consecutive year. At the prestigious Tarlow Invitational at Thorny Lea G.C. in Brockton, Khang turned in a record-setting performance in defending her women’s division title and set four records in the process. In the first round, Khang fired a sizzling, 7-under 67 (women’s par 74) to set a women’s course record at Thorny Lea, which was previously held by Susan Choi, a former Tarlow champion. Khang’s final round 4under 70 gave her a two-day total of 11under 137, a record for lowest winning score in the women’s division. Khang also set tournament records as the first female to record consecutive sub-par rounds and for the largest margin of victory (20 strokes) over second-place finisher Kristen Macdonald of Thomson C.C. in North Reading (82-75-157). Khang’s final visit to the winner’s circle this summer before starting her sophomore year at Rockland High School came at the John D. Mineck Junior Cup at Boston G.C. in Hingham, which was part of the Deutsche Bank Championship festivities. Khang was a member of Team New England, which defended its title with a come-from-behind, 32-28 victory over Team USA. Also playing key roles in Team New England’s victory were Jake Shuman of Blue Hill C.C., Jonathan Woods of Duxbury, and Jacquelyn Eleey of Quincy.
Brennan Leads Standings
Colin Brennan of Indian Ridge C.C. in Andover enjoyed a red-hot summer on the golf course, which has catapulted him to the top of the Mass. Golf Association Player of the Year standings. At the North Shore Amateur at Far Corner G.C., Brennan erased an opening-round, six stroke deficit by firing a 7-under-par 65 during the final round to set a new course record while also recording a four-stroke victory at 7-under 137 (72-65). Brennan’s strong finish was similar to his victory at the Hornblower Memorial in June when he was 33rd after the first round and shot a remarkable 66 in the rain and wind at Plymouth C.C. to earn victory. Just a couple of weeks later, Brennan registered another record-setting performance in winning the championship division of the prestigious Tarlow Invitational at Thorny Lea
G.C. in Brockton. He carded a 6-under 64 during the final round to set a tournament record for low round (one stroke shy of John Hadges’ course-record 63). He also recorded a tournament record score of 8-under 132 (68-64) to win by six strokes over former two-time Tarlow champion Brendan Hester of Pleasant Valley C.C., who was also underpar both days of the tournament (69-69138).
Local Results: Milton native Claire
Sheldon defeated Tracy Martin, 2 and 1, to win the WGAM Amateur Championship at Brae Burn C.C. in Newton. Sheldon’s triumph was quite compelling because she had to rejoin the WGAM at the last minute in order to be eligible for play after recently moving back home from Connecticut. Brian Higgins of Franklin C.C. tied for second at even-par 144 (73-71) and Ryan Riley of Pine Oaks G.C. in Easton, Andy Falcone of Marshfield C.C., and Phil Smith of Vesper C.C. each tied for fourth at 1over 145 in the 29th Mass. Mid-Amateur Championship at Framingham C.C. Duncan and John Gratton of Dedham Country & Polo Club fired a 4-under 67 to capture the senior division of the 36th Mass. Father & Son Championship at Crestwood C.C. in Rehoboth. In a rare type of finish, there was a five-way tie for second place and a six-way tie for seventh place in the senior division. Locals who tied for second at 1-under 70 were Mark Souliotis, a Mass. Amateur finalist, and Michael Souliotis of Haverhill C.C., James Drohen and Bill Drohen of Brookmeadow C.C. in Canton, and David Pierce and David Pierce Jr. of the Country Club of Halifax. In the junior division, Tom Lennon and his son, Matt, of Wampatuck C.C. in Canton, finished second with a 1-over 72. Jake Shuman of Blue Hill C.C. in Canton shot an even-par 213 (72-70-71) to finish second in the junior division of the 94th Mass. Junior Amateur at Oakley C.C. in Watertown. Tara Joy-Connelly of Cohasset G.C. shot 71-78-149 to defend her title with a fourstroke victory in the WGAM Grace Keyes Cup for Class A and B players at Marshfield C.C. Bob DiCesare is the golf columnist for The Patriot Ledger of Quincy, MA and The Enterprise of Brockton, MA and writes a eastern Mass. notebook column in each issue of Southern New England Golfer.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
PEOPLE IN GOLF
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By JOE GORDON
Tiger and Gordon Reflect on the Ryder Cup
n a sultry Sunday afternoon in August in the outskirts of Chicago in 1999, fate seemed to be pushing Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia into the most interesting golf rivalry since Jack Nicklaus went head-to-head with Arnold Palmer. It was the final round of the PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club. Garcia, then a 19-year-old rookie, nearly up-staged Woods, who two years earlier had created Tiger Mania when he won the Masters by 12 strokes. Garcia, a Spaniard, became a gallery favorite when, with his eyes closed in case debris went flying towards his face, took a swipe at his ball, which was directly behind a 100year-old tree and somehow got the ball to fade enough to roll onto the green. The great rivalry never materialized. Woods now has 14 majors and Garcia is still looking for his first. The only place Garcia has outshone Woods is in Ryder Cup play. Sept. 28-30 the Ryder Cup comes to Medinah, where that unfulfilled rivalry may surface. Woods, who will turn 37 on his next birthday, smiled recently when I asked him to divulge some of his favorite Ryder Cup moments. “I’ve had a bunch of good ones,” said Woods, whose record of 12-14-2 in six Ryder Cups falls surprisingly short of what one would expect. Conversely, Garcia is 14-6-4 in five Ryder appearances. “I’ve had individual moments — times when I’ve played well and had some good times. And even ‘02 with Davis (Love) on a Saturday afternoon we went out there and I played probably one of the best Ryder Cup matches I’ve ever played. I shot 63 with my own ball in the Fourball, and we won the match 1 up over Sergio (Garcia) and (Lee) Westwood.” Ironically, Woods’ most vivid Ryder Cup memories came just a month after his PGA win over Garcia. Woods and his U.S. teammates trailed the European squad by four points, going into the 12 Sunday singles matches. No team had ever come from so far behind on a final Sunday to win. But the U.S. team defied logic and completed an almost mystical 8.5-3.5 singles rout to earn the 14.5-13.5 comeback win at The Country Club in Brookline where Francis Ouimet put American golf on the map in 1913 when the 20-year-old amateur won the U.S. Open in a playoff over British stars Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, the two best players in the world at the time.
“The one in 1999 probably tops everything, being part of that comeback,” said Woods, who beat Andrew Coltart 3&2 in the singles that day. “First of all, it wasn’t very good to be part of that deficit, to have contributed to their side. I lost a few points there, as well (2-3). But then to get it back in the singles, that was nice.” The galleries at that event reflected the fiercely-competitive makeup of the players. It was the most contentious Ryder Cup I have witnessed. “It’s not the players, that’s the thing,” Woods stated. “We all play the same tournaments, we all play the same big events, and we all know each other very well. I think it has to do with the environment. Sometimes it can get a little bit rough, the gallery can get on people. They got on Monty (Colin Montgomerie) pretty hard at Brookline, and I’ve had my moments in Europe, as well. It’s just one of those things, bipartisan crowds.” Woods remembers learning the Ryder Cup ropes from several players. Now he is a leader. He takes Ryder Cup rookies out to dinner and tries to impart the knowledge he has acquired. “It’s different now than when I first came out because I wasn’t one of the leaders of the team. I was just one of the young guys on the team. It was Davis (Love) and Freddie (Couples) and (Mark) O’Meara and Payne Stewart. Those guys were the leaders of all the teams that I played on during my first few years on Tour,” said Woods. “So we had a very good senior nucleus. Now I’m part of that class. Jim Furyk, Phil (Mickelson), we’ve been on every team together since ‘97. Phil was on the team in ‘95. So we’ve gotten together for so many teams now, and now we’re part of the veteran crew, which is different,” Woods said. “But it’s so much fun to be part of these teams because you get to know the players on a different level. You get to meet them and their families and get to know them and share experiences, and you become very close. Each team has its own personality. Some of the friendships that you make during these Cups, they last a lifetime because you don’t get to know these guys on such a level like this, and when you do, it’s amazing how many guys you end up playing practice rounds a lot (with) because of these Cups.” My personal favorite memories of the Ryder Cup involve the human drama of 12 players on each side who compete as individuals the other 51 weeks of the
year suddenly thrust into the cauldron of international team competition. Lanny Wadkins was captain of the 1995 U.S. squad which showed up at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y. with a strong, mostly veteran team. One rookie was Barrington, R.I. native Brad Faxon. His match against David Gilford came down to the final hole where Faxon needed to make a six-foot par putt to give his team the half point that would secure victory. Considered the best putter in the world, Faxon burned the edge and missed. He looked catatonic.” Curtis Strange missed the same putt in the same place under the same circumstances 20 minutes later, but it was no consolation to Faxon. The Europeans won 14.5-13-5. The sight of the Europeans celebrating with champagne on a hill beside the 18th green while the Americans appeared to be counting dog tags and helping the wounded on the other side of the hill, remains the most compelling image I can remember in 47 years of covering sports events. The tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, brought the nation together and thrust the U.S. Ryder Cup team into disarray. The players were scattered in the Midwest, having been scheduled to play in a tournament in St. Louis. The tournament was canceled and when all flights were grounded, the players were allowed to drive the complimentary cars they had been assigned for the week to their homes. It was decided to postpone the Ryder Cup, which was to have been played the following week, at The Belfry in SuttonColdfield, England. Strange was U.S. captain while Sam Torrance was Europe’s captain. The two were good friends and during the year of waiting for the rescheduled Ryder Cup, they hammered out
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
a plan to urge their players to integrate their strong desire to win with the ethic of brotherhood. It worked beautifully and the matches since then have been competitive but far more refined. Europe won in 2002, 15.5-12.5, but it was really a victory for the values of decent people everywhere. One of the defining moments in Ryder Cup history came on Saturday evening in the 1999 matches when U.S. captain Ben Crenshaw, whose team trailed by a seemingly insurmountable four points, told the assembled media he had a good feeling about Sunday’s outcome. It was almost crazy enough to escort Crenshaw to a rubber room. Crenshaw brought George W. Bush, then governor of Texas, into a team gathering that Saturday night and had him read a moving letter by Lieutenant Colonel William B .Travis, who knew he and his men would be cut down the next day at the battle of the Alamo. It worked for Crenshaw’s troops. Joe Gordon is the retired golf writer for the Boston Herald and a long-time member of the Golf Writers Assn. of America.
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By BRUCE VITTNER
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Ryder Cup 2012 Has Top 24 of 36 in World Rankings
xcitement pervaded the scorer’s tent Labor Day at the DBC in Norton. Who were the four picks that U.S. Captain Davis Love III was going to choose? Most pundits think that this could be one of the most exciting Ryder Cups in memory as the 24 players from the United States and European teams all are within the top 36 in world rankings. By far the top field every assembled according to rankings. Most everyone agreed that Steve Stricker was a lock, but the other three were up for debate. Hunter Mahan (he of the tough loss to Graeme McDowell in Wales to sew up the cup for Europe) had missed the cut at the PGA Championships and the Barclays (the first of the four FEDEX playoff events), but had won two events early in the year and was ninth in FEDEX points when the first eight earned automatic bids after the PGA at Kiowah. Rickie Fowler had played wonderfully the final day in Wales and is a crowd favorite. Jim Furyk
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RYDER CUP PREVIEW had played on seven Ryder Cups, but he had not closed the deal at the U.S. Open and in another event while holding the lead. Dustin Johnson was 14th in Ryder Cup points, but had missed a few months with an injury. Brandt Snedeker was also injured earlier in the year and didn’t come back until the U.S. Open where he was in contention. What would Captain Love do? On Sept. 4 in NYC Love picked Stricker, Furyk, Snedeker and Johnson. “I’ve been on both sides of those calls (on or off the team), and it was the hardest part of the process,” said Love after making the announcement. “Steve Stricker has been probably the best player in the U.S. for the last five years,” acknowledged Love at the announcement. “Tiger loves to play with him as a partner, and they make a great team,” he added. “Dustin Johnson is the best athlete on the team. If he wasn’t hurt he would have been on the team as an automatic pick,” said Love as he announced his name as
a member. “We need good putters and Brandt Sneker is about the best,” said Love as he announced the Tennessee native who strongly resembles Huck Finn and is a joy to be around. The last pick was the one that was most up in the air to this writer. “Jim Furyk is my our choice to be on the team,” commented Love who talked about Furyk’s experience and friendship. So, what made up the minds of Love and his assistant captains? “We wanted a combination of experience and youthful enthusiasm, and I think we have that, added Love who said he wanted basketball star Michael Jordan to be an active part of the team in meetings and get-togethers.
Ryder Cup Terms Match Play: Each captain prepares a list of the 12 players in the order that he wishes to have them play. They put down their lists and each is matched up in the order they were listed. In Match Play holes are either won, lost of tied (halved). Each hole is played and if someone wins the hole they are one-up and it continues until they finish 18 holes or if one player is ahead by more than the number of holes left to play—Ex. 2 and 1, 3 and 1, 6 and 5 etc. Fourball: Again each captain makes up a list of four teams. There are two members playing on each team and each plays their own ball through the hole. The lowest score wins a hole. If players from each team tie, then the hole is halved. Same scoring as singles. Foursomes: What we might call alternate shot. Four teams of two from each squad are chosen. Before the match each team determines which player will hit tee balls off the odd and even holes. Once the tee shot is hit, the partner then hits the next shot and they rotate until the ball is in the hole. The team member who didn’t hit the first drive will hit the tee ball on the second hole and will continue that way until the match is completed. Same scoring as singles, but there is only one ball in play per team on each hole. The ball must be the same brand, so strategy sometimes comes into play when partners normally use a different brand of ball. There are 28 possible points—four foursome and four four-ball matches
each of the first two days and 12 singles matches the third day. Each player on the team must play at least one match, but captains usually try to get all players out within the first two days. The score will be a total of eight points the first day, eight the second and then 12 the third day. In the event of a tie (14-14) the Cup remains with the team that currently has it (Europeans who won in Wales in 2010).
Ryder Cup History It isn’t often that you get to root for a team in professional golf. Certainly we root for high school and college golf teams, but it the world of professional golf, those independent contractors are playing for themselves. Don’t do well—don’t get paid. The Ryder Cup is my favorite golfing event. It is all about prestige rather than prize money. In fact, all that the 24 players are competing for is a cup. Oh, and bragging rights for the next two years. The cup is named for Samuel Ryder (not Ryder Trucks), a penny seed merchant from England who became enamored with the game of golf after turning 50. His business of selling penny seed packets to English folks who liked to plant gardens quickly made him successful, and he later became the mayor of St. Albans, England. His passion for golf (he practiced six days a week, rain or shine) brought him into the company of many professional golfers from both sides of the ocean. He hosted an unofficial international match in 1926 in Wentworth, England before the British Open. It was then that it was decided to make the matches official, and Ryder donated a solid gold cup with a likeness of his golf teacher, Abe Mitchell, on top of the cup. The United States would compete against a team from Great Britain every two years with the matches alternating on each side of the pond. The first matches were played in 1927 at Worcester Country Club in nearby Worcester, Mass. The U.S. team prevailed 9 1⁄2 to 2 1⁄2. The format used was four foursomes (alternate shots) on day one and eight singles the second day. This format stayed in effect through 1959. The first four matches were split evenly as each team won on its home soil.
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RYDER CUP PREVIEW
Jim Furyk “I hope they are looking for experience.” They were and he made the team.
Jason Dufner “I’m really excited. This is what it’s all about.”
USA Team/Ryder Cups/World Ranking Captain Davis Love Tiger Woods Sixth 3 Bubba Watson Second 8 Jason Dufner First 7 Keegan Bradley First 12 Webb Simpson First 5 Zach Johnson Third 16 Matt Kuchar Second 13 Phil Michelson Ninth 22 Captain’s Picks Steve Stricker Third 10 Jim Furyk Eighth 30 Brandt Snedeker First 18 Dustin Johnson Second 14
Keegan Bradley “I’ve never played Medinah. I can’t wait to bring all my enthusiasm to the team.”
Zach Johnson “It’s a lot better than waiting for call. I live just 3 hours from Medinah. This is a home game.”
Euro Team/Ryder Cups/World Ranking Captain Jose Maria Olazabal Rory McIlroy Second 1 Luke Donald Fourth 2 Lee Westwood Eighth 4 Justin Rose Second 9 Graeme McDowell Third 15 Paul Lawrie Second 28 Sergio Garcia Sixth 17 Peter Hanson Second 34 Francesco Molinari Second 25 Martin Kaymer Second 29 Captain’s Picks Ian Poulter Fourth 26 Nicolas Colsaerts First 36
Matt Kuchar “It was so loud in Wales. I can’t wait for all that noise when they are rooting for us.”
Steve Stricker “I’m pretty confident I’ll get the call. I live two hours away from Medinah so it would be great to be on the team.” He did and he is.
By BRUCE VITTNER
Lee Westwood “We are really fortunate to have Sergio playing. He is a proven veteran.
Luke Donald “I have lived in Chicago for 15 years and call it home. It will be the first time that fans won’t be rooting for me there.”
In 1961 the match format was changed. In 1963 four-ball matches were held, boosting the total of points to 32. It stayed that way until 1977 when the format was altered yet again. The year 1979 saw the biggest change in the Ryder Cup and did the most to make it the competitive tournament it is today. Players from Continental Europe were allowed to compete with the Great Britain and Ireland team against the United States. The format was restructured to have four foursome and four fourball matches each of the first two days and then have all twelve players compete in singles the final day. This format has remained intact through today with 28 points available and 14 needed to retain the Ryder Cup.
The Ryder Cup was suspended from 1939 to 1945 because of World War II. The U.S. had won in 1935 and 1937 so they retained the Cup during the war years. When the matches resumed in 1947 the U.S. continued its dynasty with wins until 1957 when the British prevailed. SNE Golfer Ryder Cup Picks DAVE ADAMONIS, JR. USA 14 1⁄2-13 1⁄2 USA rolls in singles to win BRUCE BERLET USA 15-13 Capt. Picks Stricker, Furyk, Johnson keys SCOTT CORDISCHI Euro 15-13 Fire and camaraderie trump US talent BOB DICESARE Euro 14 1⁄2-13 1⁄2 Team USA good, Team Europe better BOB DICK USA 15-13 Home crowd, Stricker, Furyk, Phil and Tiger BILL DOYLE USA 16-12 Rookies shine KATHARINE DYSON USA 16-12 We win, but very competitive JOE GORDON USA 15-13 Love will tailor Medinah for his long hitters TOM GORMAN Euro 151/2-12 1⁄2 The spirit of Seve will drive them to RUSS HELD Euro 15-13 Intangibles, these guys find way to win BRUCE VITTNER USA 15 1⁄2-12 1⁄2 Home Court Advantage, Rookies Shine
Pick the Winner at the Ryder Cup and Win Free Golf Go to www.snegolfer. com and make your pick for the final score and the winner. All correct entries will be placed in a drawing for free rounds of golf. Entries close at midnight on Sept. 27, 2012. Make sure you include your name and email address.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
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By BILL DOYLE
COURSE REVIEW
Renovated Shaker Hills C.C. Opens Oct. 1
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he name isn’t the only thing that has changed about Shaker Hills Country Club. Fred “Skip” Curtis bought what used to be known as Shaker Hills Golf Club for $3.4 million at a foreclosure auction in April and has been hard at work renovating the course in Harvard, Mass., ever since. He plans to reopen the course on Oct. 1. Curtis turned the 18th from a 445-yard, straight par 4 into a 565-yard, doglegright par 5 that plays downhill to what used to be the practice green in front of the clubhouse. Curtis also plans to open by Memorial Day a covered deck on what is currently the roof over the clubhouse patio to provide a close-up view of the 18th green. “It will almost be hanging over the 18th green,” Curtis said. Curtis expects the deck to become one of the best heckling porches in the region, turning Shaker Hills into what he called “Shaker Knees” for golfers putting out on 18. The deck will also provide scenic views of the renovated first and 10th tees and
the new practice green behind the ninth green. A Princeton resident, Curtis plans to keep Shaker Hills as a semi-private course, but he changed the name to Shaker Hills Country Club. “We did that,” Curtis said, “because for a public course, this is as close as you can get to a private country club atmosphere.” Curtis had sold his business, Curtis Tractor Cab in Worcester, and retired, but he’s been working hard since he bought Shaker. He’s a 4-handicapper at Worcester Country Club, but has played only a handful of times this year because he’s been busy renovating Shaker Hills. “My wife (Sarah), loves it,” Curtis said. “She loves me getting off my (butt).” In 1993, Golf Digest ranked Shaker Hills the No. 1 public golf course in the state. “Our goal is to reclaim that spot,” Curtis said. Three new bunkers surround the 18th green. The new 18th hole will boost
View of new 18th hole from the overlooking deck Shaker Hills to a par 72 playing 7,025 yards from the tips. Shaker Hills will have a soft opening on Oct. 1 to give golfers a chance to play it before they decide which club they will join next year. The new 18th hole won’t be ready for Oct. 1 so golfers will play the latter part of the old 18th as a 110-yard par 3. Curtis plans to make the old 18th a practice hole for golfers before they tee off. Curtis considered the cart charging station golfers saw as they approached the pro shop from the parking lot to be an eyesore, so he replaced it with a 10,000square-foot, two-tiered practice green surrounded by a few interesting rocks, including a couple shaped like hands, taken from the course. A cart barn will be erected near the lower parking lot. Curtis designed the changes and the construction company NMP Golf implemented them. The first hole’s three separate tee boxes have been combined into one longer one. A stonewall was erected along the left side of the beginning of the first fairway. Branches were removed to provide a better view of the 10th tee from the clubhouse. “It’s definitely for the better,” Clayton Longfellow, project manager for NMP Golf, said. “It’s pretty spectacular standing in the clubhouse and looking at it compare to what it was before.” Shaker needed some nurturing and
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Curtis was willing to sink some money into it to bring it back. “It’s more than money,” he said. “It’s how you’re going to spend the money.” Curtis said he spent quite a bit of money, but “not millions plural.” In the first 10 days that the club’s web site went back online, Shaker received 150 emails from golfers interested in becoming members. “There’s a pretty good buzz going on right now in the Shaker community,” Curtis said. Tim Valas of Shrewsbury will serve as general manager. Valas attended St. John’s High with Curtis and both are members at Worcester C.C. Curtis retained superintendent Mike Sisti, who has worked at the course in recent years, and he plans to hire a golf pro for next year. The last week of August the fairways were aerated for the first time in a few years and Curtis said that for the first time in at least eight years the fairways were top dressed with 300 tons of sand and reseeded. “I bought a lot of land in a good zip code, Harvard, Mass.,” Curtis said, “with a small business that I happen to love. So I figure I can’t go wrong.” Greens fees haven’t been set yet, but Curtis said they’d be discounted for this fall. Bill Doyle is a sportswriter for the Worcester Telegram and writes a Central Mass. column in each issue of Southern New England Golfer.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
CENTRAL MASS NOTEBOOK Central Mass. Mourns Death of Magill The Central Mass. golfing community suffered a big loss with the July 26 passing of John Magill, owner of Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton and Highfields Golf & Country Club in Grafton. Magill died at age 77 at his home behind the first green at Highfields of an apparent heart attack. His family will continue to own and operate both clubs. Magill built and opened Highfields, an 18-hole public course located on Magill Drive, in 2002 and purchased Pleasant Valley, a private club in Sutton, in November of 2010 for $5 million at a foreclosure auction. Magill didn’t take up golf until he joined PV when he was in his 40s. He belonged to PV for 20 years before he opened Highfields. “It was his lifelong dream,” his son Jay Magill said of building Highfields. “He fell in love with golf as soon as he started playing at Pleasant Valley. He was devoted to building that course ever since he got the golf bug.” Before health issues slowed him the past couple of years, Magill was known as an extremely hard worker. John and Jay built Highfields, running the bulldozers to carve out the holes the way Mark Mungeam designed them. “He was great guy to work for,” Highfields director of golf Roger Adams said. “You just didn’t want to work with him. He would go until the cows came home. He’d work through lunch, knowing he had a job to do and he wanted to get it done. He kind of expected everybody else to fall in line.” “We’d buy coffee in the morning,” Jay said. “He’d pull the cover off his piping hot coffee and guzzle it right in front of us and say, ‘Don’t let those coffees last all day boys, we’re working today.’” Magill’s business, Magill Associates, built 75 homes around Highfields. “He was a regular guy,” Adams said. “You’d never know he was as successful as he was.” Magill and his family restored PV to its former glory. Charity Golf Event in 37th Year The 37th annual Lori Lajoie Charity Golf Tournament raised more than $200,000 on Aug. 16 at Worcester Country Club and has donated more than $5 million over the years to the Seven Hills Foundation. Seven Hills, greater Worcester’s largest provider of programs for the developmentally and physically challenged, supports 28,000 people in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The oldest continuous charity golf
tournament in Central Mass. is named after the late daughter of retired Worcester C.C. head pro Ray Lajoie and his wife Coco. Lori died at age 37 in 2001 so the tournament has lived as long as she did. Severe developmental disabilities left Lori with the intelligence of a 3 year old. No one expected the tournament to last this long. After Ray and Coco, who worked alongside her husband in the pro shop, retired from WCC in 1996, they were thrilled that the club continued the event. “It says a lot,” Coco said, “about how they feel about us and how they feel about Lori. A lot of the members knew her, but the new people coming in don’t know anything about her. But the tournament still goes on because it’s for such a great cause. Everybody knows somebody who has mental or physical disabilities.” The tournament also keeps Lori’s spirit alive. Pleasant Valley C.C. head pro Paul Parajeckas has played in every one of the Lajoie tournaments. One year, he flew back the day before the event after playing in the Senior British Open. This year, he shot a 2-under 68 to top all pros. The day before the Lajoie tournament, Bedrock Golf Club owner Joe Carr received his 37th and final radiation treatment after having cancerous tumors removed from the parotid gland in his right cheek and from his neck. The next day he played golf for the first time since March and carded an eagle on the par-5 second hole at Worcester C.C. in the tournament. Carr, 73, said he’s played WCC for 57 years and couldn’t remember carding an eagle on the second hole before. “It was tiring, but it was good,” Carr said. “I enjoyed myself. I didn’t get too worried about anything.”
Two-time champion Brendan Hester of Pleasant Valley C.C. finished second in the 16th annual Tarlow Invitational at Thorny Lea in Brockton in August. Hester shot a par of 1-under 69s to finish six shots behind Colin Brennan of Indian Ridge in Andover. Brennan’s 132 was a tournament record. Hester won the event in 2001 and 2010. Trevor Stock, 21, and Eddy Black, 16, used to live next door to each other on Trinity Avenue in Grafton. On Sunday, Aug. 5, Stock won the club championship at Highfields Golf & Country Club and Black captured the club championship at Tatnuck Country Club in Worcester. The Stocks have moved elsewhere in Grafton and the Blacks moved to Shrewsbury. Stock hadn’t seen Black for many years until Black’s older brother Stevie joined Highfields this year. Stock shot 78 on Aug. 4 and 75 on Aug. 5 for a 36-hole total of 9-over 153 to beat Dave Bavosi of Hopedale by a shot. Black beat his brother Stevie, 3-2, on Aug. 4 in the semifinals and in the final on Aug. 5 he sank a 15-foot, downhill par putt that slid to the right on the 38th hole to beat his best friend Tim Umphrey. Eddy learned during his
By BILL DOYLE
John Magill round Sunday that Stock had won his club championship. Stock had texted Stevie with the good news. “I wanted to win because Trevor would have given me a hard time,” Black said. Bill Doyle is a sportswriter for the Worcester Telegram and writes a Central Mass. column in each issue of Southern New England Golfer.
Local Notes: Whitinsville Golf Club, a private, nine-hole Donald Ross layout in Northbridge, has a limited number of tee times open to the public for the first time this year. Golfers can log on to www. golfnow.com and reserve one of the select tee times left open for the public Monday through Thursday. It costs $60 to ride 18 holes and use the practice range. Golfers should call the pro shop at 508-234-6210 to confirm their tee time. Defending champion Katie Nelson of Auburn lost to eventual champion Claire Sheldon of The Country Club in Brookline in the semifinals of the 109th Women’s Golf Association of Massachusetts Amateur Championship at Brae Burn C.C. in Newton. Nelson, a graduate of Holy Name High, recently entered her sophomore year at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
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By BRUCE HUTCHINSON
Energy Athletic Shirt
PRODUCT REVIEWS
Most golfers wear bracelets or necklaces in the hope of getting negatively charged ions to increase balance and hopefully improve performance. These ions have been proven to actually help performance in many tests. Now there is a shirt, The Energy AthleticTM Shirt, that actually has a negatively charged, electromagnetic, ionized field embedded in its fabric. The shirts are antimicrobial, moisture wicking, made of 95% polyester and 5% Spandex and an even tail so that you can wear it tucked in or out. Tests have been run on a static-voltmeter to show the high levels of negative ions in the shirt. Former golf star Paul Azinger is a spokesperson for the shirt. “It is unlike any other apparel on the market featuring the IonX negatively charged, electromagnetic ion field.” It looks and feels like a regular shirt and hopefully provides a true technological advantage every time you wear it. To get more information about the shirts that cost $59.90 for short sleeve and $69.90 for long sleeve and come in various colors visit their website at www.wearenergy.com.
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Elmer Putter
Knowing that, as golfers, we often have to adjust to the club rather than being able to adjust the club to our specific and particular needs this new putter just may be the answer. Elmer Golf offers adjustable precision putters that ensure accuracy for your putting. Chief Design Engineer, John Elmer, has spent years creating this ground-breaking research and development leading to a truly revolutionary product.The M1 mallet model, in addition to the M2 blade, are the most sophisticated and technically superior putters available today. They incorporate five patented industry-changing features that insure the user every possible advantage on the green. If you have a tendency to push or pull your putts, a simple compensating adjustment will result in a proper stroke. The putters are R&A and USGA approved. There are many varied offerings which are best explained by going to the their website www. elmergolfUSA.com or by calling 877-273-5020.
By BRUCE VITTNER
Nunchuk Shafts
Unique to say the least. Both in the way it works and also the name, Nunchuk shafts can be used by everyone from beginner to professional. The shaft is manufactured by Nventix and has what the company refers to as TZS or Tri-Zoned-Stability wherein the shaft is comprised of three zones. There are two stiff sections, one at the butt and one at tip end. It is made in one flex only. This eliminates the droop in the shaft allowing the head of the club to get back to square and perfect alignment every time. Consistency, straightness and length are a few of the attributes of this shaft leading to a reduction in frustrations by the golfer. The shaft is gaining in popularity and has already had a number of wins both in the States and abroad. It can be installed in drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. As a nine-time tour player exclaims, “If you use this shaft you will improve your game.” Watch a video by going to www. nventix.com. The website also has information on where to have the shaft installed.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
COURSE REVIEW
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By TIM GERRISH
Triggs Municipal Golf Course Still a Gem
onald Ross is the most well known golden age golf course architect in the northeast. If we look at an abbreviated course list near his summer office in Little Compton, R.I., the list would include Wannamoisett, Warwick, Metacomet, Rhode Island Country Club and the public Triggs Memorial. For those of you outside of Little Rhody, Triggs is Providence’s municipal golf course steeped in history. Ross designed Triggs in the late 1920s with construction starting in 1930 and the course opening in 1932. Located on the 140-acre Obadiah Brown Farm, Ross masterminded a routing that makes the best use of limited land and is an excellent test of golf. The still going strong (see page 7) Providence Open started in 1941 with a list of professionals including Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead. Unfortunately, World War II was a turning point for Triggs. The course features some typical Ross
characteristics, such as a strong mixture of par 4’s. Length varies from the 319 yard 16th, which was never intended to be reachable, but to play as a short drive and wedge, to the 457 yard 3rd hole, which requires two strong shots, even with the downhill approach. The par 5’s are interesting with the 445 yard 6th being easily reachable for the longer players, although it is a blind shot and well protected with trees making a layup second shot wise. With the war, Triggs, fell into hard times with reduced maintenance budgets and less play. It didn’t get better for Triggs over the years as outing abuse by city officials became rampant, maintenance practices declined even further and excessive tree plantings, which are still an issue today. Some fairway bunkers were filled in and I’m told by a long-time member that other fairway bunkers were rebuilt to slope the sand to make it easier to play from. Do you remember the mat tee boxes?
Having worked at several municipal Ross courses over the years, notably Shennecossett in Groton, Connecticut and George Wright in Boston, and having played Triggs a handful of times recently, more work is needed. Providence should be celebrating ownership by increasing both financial and media support. The current management has done wonders to restore the course. Further improvements like removal of a few hundred trees and rebuilding the bunkers into a consistent Ross style and locations using the original plans, the course would be a gem. The bunker locations seem right when compared to the plans, but in some situations just don’t work on the ground. However, aesthetics is the real issue. Having seen old photos from a bunch of Ross courses, I can’t say I’ve seen this fairway bunker style before. Is this something new or a past, misguided re-construction? Today, outings are packed and tee sheets often full given the reduced city resident
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
Bob Tramonti rate and much improved maintenance. A new grass practice facility allows for warmup and hosts an excellent lesson program under the tutelage of Bob Tramonti, PGA Director of Instruction. So when pondering where to play your next round, try Triggs, a Donald Ross original. You will love it! Tim Gerrish, RLA is a golf course architect. He can be reached at tim@gardner-gerrish.com.
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SCOREBOARD Continued from page 7
Providence Open Final Results Continued from page 5 1. Abbie Valentine, Bayville, NY, 66, 65, 131, $4,000 Partial Results from the purse of $85,300 2. David Schuster, New York, NY, 66, 69, 135, $2,200 1. Ed Kirby [SA] Alpine C.C. -9 F 66 69 70 205 $14,000.00 3. Jesse Larson, Mendon, VT, 66, 70, 136, $1,850 4. Michael Carbone, Brewster, MA, 66, 71, 137, $1,466.66 2. Jeff Seavey [SA] Samoset Resort -8 F 70 68 68 206 $7,800.00 4. Jimmy Hazen, Miller Place, NY, 70, 67, 137, $1,466.66 3. John Hickson [SA] Dick’s Sporting -6 F 68 71 69 208 $5,150.00 4. Jason Thresher, West Suffield, CT, 67, 70, 137, $1,466.66 4. Kirk Hanefeld [SA] Renaissance G.C. -5 F 72 67 70 209 $3,850.00 7. Seamus Fennelly (a), Coventry, RI, 70, 69, 139 7. Kyle Gallo, Fitchburg, MA, 69, 70, 139, $1,150 5. Jeffrey Martin [SA] Norton C.C. -4 F 70 68 72 210 $3,400.00 7. Cody Paladino (a), Kensington, CT, 67, 72, 139, 6. Boomer Erick [SA] Boston G.C. -3 F 70 71 70 211 $3,150.00 10. Peter French (a), Bellingham, MA, 71, 69, 140, T7. Frank Dully [SA] Kernwood C.C. -2 F 71 72 69 212 $2,575.00 10. Eddie Hjerpe (a), Barrington, RI, 68, 72, 140, 10. Evan Harmeling, North Reading, MA, 71, 69, 140, $916.66 T7. Matt Arvanitis [SA] Concord C.C. -2 F 70 71 71 212 $2,575.00 10. Garrett Medeiros, Rumford, RI, 70, 70, 140, $916.66 T7. Michael Dugas [SA] JW Parks G.C. -2 F 72 68 72 212 $2,575.00 10. Dustin Cone, Port St. Lucie, 74, 66, 140, $916.66 T7. Troy Pare [SA] Wannamoisett C.C. -2 F 71 70 71 212 $2,575.00 15. Michael Gunderson, Duxbury, MA, 71, 70, 141, $221.43 11. Marc Spencer [SA] Windham C.C. -1 F 71 72 70 213 $2,025.00 15. Nick Torrance (a), East Lyme, CT, 70, 71, 141, 11. Travis Hall [SA] Ipswich C.C. -1 F 70 69 74 213 $2,025.00 15. Matt Dubrowski, Bergenfield, NJ, 70, 71, 141, $221.43 15. Chad Bouchard, Fitchburg, MA, 70, 71, 141, $221.43 13. Rick Karbowski [SA] Auburn D.R. 0 F 72 71 71 214 $1,700.00 15. Eric Egloff, Sandy Springs, MD, 73, 68, 141, $221.43 13. Michael Baker [SA] Castine 0 F 69 71 74 214 $1,700.00 15. Michael Furci , Sayville, NY, 71, 70, 141, $221.43 15. Chris Fitzpatrick, Wellesley, MA, 74, 67, 141, $221.43 15. Shawn Warren, Windham, ME, 69, 72, 141, $221.43 Q-School Qualifier Final Partial Results Play-off Scores 1.Kyle Gallo, Kensington, CT, 69-70-65-68-272, -14 4-3-3, $4,500 Q-School Entry 2.Jimmy Hazen, Miller Place, NY, 70-67-67-68-272, -141 3-4-4 2.Michael Carbone, Brewster, MA, 66-71-68-67-272, -14 4-4-4 2.Shawn Warren, Windham, ME, 69-72-66-65-272, -14 3-5-4, $1,000 low score at Crestwood 2.Jason Thresher, West Suffield, CT, 67-70-68-67-272, -14 4-4-6 6.Dustin Cone, Port St. Lucie, FL, 74-66-68-66-274, -12 7.Eric Egloff, Sandy Spring, MD, 73-68-68-67-276, -10 8.Jesse Larson , Mendon, VT, 66-70-71-70-277, -9 9.Garrett Medeiros , Rumford, RI, 70-70-72-70-282, -4 10.Michael Furci , Bayville, NY, 71-70-71-71-283, -3 11.Brandon Parker, Jupiter, FL, 70-75-70-69-284, -2 11.Rushi Oza, Juno Beach, FL, 74-68-72-74-286, E 12.Rahul Sriram , New Canaan, CT, 74-72-74-70-290, +4
Target Your Audience in SNE Golfer! For advertising information, call Bruce Vittner at 401-464-8445 or email bruce@snegolfer.com.
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Southern New England Golf Show Postponed for 2013 The Southern New England Golf Show that has been held in Providence the past three years in February will not be held in 2013. However, plans are already underway to bring the show back in 2014. Vendors have been contacted and sites and dates are being reviewed to bring the show back even bigger and better than it was in the past. Southern New England Golf Magazine had always geared the Winter Issue around the Show with stories and advertisements from the Show’s sponsors and vendors, and used the show as a way to distribute about 5,000 copies of the publication. It is impractical to publish the issue in hard copy. What we will do is use our new and improved website, www.snegolfer. com to run breaking stories throughout the winter. We encourage readers to go online to register their email address and we will email breaking stories and pictures about players of the year in all our regions, travel stories and much more. For those who subscribe to the publication, we have added two additional issues to the date when your subscription expires. The next hard copy of Southern New England Golfer will be next spring.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
CHARITY GOLF Oyster Harbors Club Leads Ouimet Marathon Matt Closter and his caddie Brian (orange shirt) from Weston C.C., Teddy Mitropolous from Wellesley and Jake Leech (blue shirt – r) and his caddie Rian (purple shirt) from Charles River C.C.
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hris Catena, an assistant pro at Oyster Harbors, and Fundraiser Rick Stimets stretched the Oyster Harbors streak to five straight years as top fundraising club in the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s 20th Golf Marathon in August. Catena, 29 in both his first year at Oyster Harbors and in the Marathon, played 182 holes to help raise $21,750 to lead 33 clubs and organizations. The Marathon was played, as always, at Stow Acres Country Club’s South Course. The event raised $250,000 and is believed to be the highest fundraising Marathon in the U.S. this year. It brought the total raised since the event’s inception in 1993 to $4.5 million. A total of 4,253 holes were played this year, bringing the total to 103,716 holes played in 20 Ouimet Marathons. “This was a perfect day for the Marathon. We were able to celebrate 20 years, reach 100,000 holes played in those 20 years, and really make a tremendous contribution to the Ouimet Fund,” said Dick Reilly, Ouimet Fund President. Connor Burdick of Worcester Country Club played the most holes played with 197. The golf scoring is based on 100 holes of play. Brian Golden, who represented Winchester CC and was playing in his 17th Marathon, was low pro at 15 under. Kris Hart of Bass River/Bayberry Hills, a Ouimet Scholarship alumnus, was low amateur at six under. Colin LeStrange, who represented all his fellow Ouimet Scholarship alumni, came back from New 2012 Top Ten Fundraising Clubs Club Fundraiser Oyster Harbors Rick Stimets Tedesco Country Mike Zmetrovich New Seabury Brian Hayes Belmont C.C. Milt Yanofsky Woodland Golf Club Mark Lallak Oakley Country Club Ed McMellen The Ridge Club B. Travers/B. Ganley Weston Golf Club Jack Sands The Country Club Jeff Sanders Dedham C&P Joe Laporte
York City for the day and was low net at 19 under. Bill Neville of Milton, 25, Director of Outside Operations at Wollaston C.C., won the long drive competition. Jake Leech, an assistant pro at Charles River, played the 100,000th hole in the 20 years. His milestone came at 9:45 a.m. when he birdied the 15th hole on his 45th hole of the day. Leech, 33, was playing in his fourth Marathon. In opening ceremonies, the 20 years was celebrated and remembered. Stow Acres owner, Walter Lankau, who founded the Marathon and played 144 holes in the first event, was recognized along with many former players who came back including Golden, the 44 year old Director of Golf at Sandy Burr. He has played over 4,600 holes in his 17 years. The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund was founded in 1949 and since that time has awarded $25 million to students who have worked at least two years in service to golf in Massachusetts. Ouimet Scholars work as caddies or in pro shop or course superintendent operations. The scholarship is a four-year renewable award and is need based. In 2012- 2013 The Fund plans to award $1.5 Million to approximately 300 students. Over 5,000 students have received Ouimet Scholarships since the 1949 founding, with many going on to outstanding positions of leadership in business and professional careers. The Ouimet Fund is one of the largest independent scholarships in New England and the 2nd largest “caddie fund” in the U.S. It is a 501 ( c) (3) organization and is considered the Golf Charity of Massachusetts.
Player Chris Catena Kevin Lynch Brian Hayes M. Yanofsky/J. Fields Tom Doherty Ed McMellen Bob Travers Matt Closter Jeff Sanders Joe Laporte
Holes 182 137 160 100 130 112 105 160 160 135
Ledgemont Hosts Veterans Appreciation Day
A
ugust 6 was a special day for 84 members and guests of Ledgemont Country Club as they gathered for the second annual Day of Thanks Golf Tournament, an event created specifically to salute and remember the brave men and women who fought, and continue to fight, to keep this country free and safe. The tournament beneficiary was WISH For OUR HEROES, a national 501©(3) military charity dedicated to helping military members facing hardship through the granting of wishes. The honorary chairman of the tournament was retired Gen. Reginald Centracchio. He served as master of ceremonies for a pre-tournament ceremony that included an honor guard and the singing of the national anthem and “God Bless the USA” by entertainer Anthony Edwards. Day of Thanks was started by Ledgemont member Buddy Trinkle and
his friend Sharon Teich whose son Bernie was severely injured by a roadside bomb explosion in Iraq. It is the wish of the tournament committee Michael Thornton to annually host wounded service people to an unforgettable day of golf. Jeff Wells, founder of WISH For OUR HEROES, traded chip shots and putts with the veterans his organization serves. “Every penny raised today will go to our military,” Wells said. “Not 90 or 95 percent. Every penny.” Special guests of the day included Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Michael Thornton.
Money Raised $21,774.00 $17,038.50 $13,890.00 $13,000.00 $13,000.00 $12,191.00 $12,165.00 $11,515.00 $10,250.00 $10,170.00
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
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SNE GOLFER Continued from page 3
Tournament Notebook Seth Waugh, outgoing CEO of Deutsche Bank America and Bill Scannell, vice president at EMC, announced a four-year extension of the two companies corporate sponsorship of the tournament through 2016...Sergio Garcia, ranked No. 10 in FedEx Cup points and winner of The Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C. on August 19, withdrew, citing an exhausting fall schedule including The Ryder Cup scheduled at Medinah C.C. September 28-30...Webb Simpson, who beat Chez Reavie to win the 2011 Championship finished T-18 with Ryder Cup teammate Jason Dufner, with 7-under par... Caroline Wozniaki, a statuesque 22-year Danish tennis pro and girlfriend of McIlroy, buoyed the gallery and his game walking all 18 holes during round one wearing a short dress, blond pony tail and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis oversize sunglasses...Architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, were hired last fall to redesign the TPC’s 18th green since the par 5 of only 530 yards is ranked the easiest. The green was reduced from 6,500 sq. ft. to 4,200
and many of the pros voiced displeasure. ...Some of the largest crowds in years turned out with estimates of 80,000 for the week, while Golf Channel publicist Dan Higgins claimed that round two was the highest-rated and most-watched ever for this event. Johnny Miller and Dan Hicks and the NBC TV crew reported 67% higher viewer audience during the last two rounds Sunday and Labor Day Monday.
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DON’T MISS THE ACTION!
Continued from page 18
“It’s amazing how supportive people have been to be a part of this and make it happen,” Polk said. “If we had to pay cash for all the work that was done, we couldn’t afford it. In absence of that, we couldn’t have gotten it done. Everybody else was very aggressive and understanding that we’re a small, nonprofit organization that’s taking care of kids and believe in our mission and are willing to support it.” Polk is also indebted to May and a thousand other contributors, especially his staff of director of programs Mark Moriarty, assistant director of programs Meghan Doherty, director of development Cathy Morway and development associates Susan Canavan and Tracy Rice. May’s work earned him a Gold Key, the highest honor of the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance, and his father and ICO co-founder Harry Keefe Jr. were elected to the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 2002. “Modestly, there are no other buildings like this of its kind,” Polk said. “We have an unusual situation in that we have a single facility dedicated to the kids. We’ll make it available on a selected,
invitational basis, like if the Connecticut State Golf Association wants to have an annual meeting or rules seminar or a local company wants to hold a board meeting and an event and hit some balls and have an exhibition on the range in exchange for a donation, but it’s basically for the kids.” Polk and May said people such as Dennis Walters, a paraplegic golfer who gives inspirational shows around the world, and 2005 Buick Championship winner Brad Faxon, whose designing company built the short course, said they have visited dozens of First Tee facilities worldwide and the one in Cromwell is No. 1 in its field. “Dennis said he’s been to 85 First Tee facilities throughout the country and this is by far the finest he has ever seen and our kids just need to appreciate that they’re tremendously fortunate,” May said. Tens of thousands of kids, including my 8-year-old grandson Ryan, who attended his first golf camp in July, certainly appreciate what they have. And anyone interested in helping TFTCT’s cause should contact Polk at 860-8821660 or dpolk@thefirstteect.org.
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SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF
I
Vana Captures 8th MGA Mid-Amateur
t took him six years and two surgeries, but Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough C.C.) finally captured his record eighth Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship title. After two straight days of persistent rain, the skies finally cleared and set the stage for a recordsetting performance by the perennial amateur standout. Vana, who has been the MGA Richard D. Haskell MGA Player of the Year a record nine times over the course of his career, rolled in a three-foot par putt on the 18th hole at Framingham Country Club to seal his one-stroke victory and recapture a title he last won in 2007. No golfer has ever won as many Mass. Mid-Amateur Championships. “It feels great,” said Vana, who underwent shoulder and knee surgery this past winter. “It has been a long time since I won this, but I was happy that I was able to stay calm and remain focused through the rain delays and then today when I knew that it was going to be close.” To say that it has been a long road back to the podium for Vana would be an understatement. Over the course of his career, he had captured 12 MGA Championships with his last coming in 2007 when he won this title. Although seemingly always in contention (he has advanced to the finals of the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in six of the past 10 years), he was wondering when that 13th title would come... until today. “I was wondering when it would come because I have been hitting the ball well and coming up short,” said Vana. “I have tried to remain positive, and I think that it finally paid off this week.” Vana capped off his victorious performance with an even par 72 on Thursday to edge Mike Dunham (Concord C.C.) and Brian Higgins (Franklin C.C.) by one stroke. Heading into that final round, Vana held a slim one-stroke lead
after posting a 1-under par 71 on Tuesday under challenging conditions. In fact, the heavy rainfall on both Tuesday and Wednesday forced championship officials to reduce the event to 36 holes. The change in format worked out just fine for Vana, who had a slew of talented golfers nipping at his heels from start to finish. “It turned it into a little bit of a horse race with today being the final round and it added some extra pressure,” said Vana, who won the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 2004 and 2005. “I am happy with how I played. I was focused and didn’t have too many bad shots. I saw the lines on most of my putts, and I posted as high of a score as I could have posted.” Through his first nine holes on Thursday, Vana was solid until he suffered back-to-back bogies on the 8th and 9th holes. His advantage had disappeared and he found himself trailing Dunham — who earlier in the day posted a two-day score of even par 144 — by one stroke. “It was very frustrating,” said Vana who missed the green on the 8th hole and then was in between clubs on the 9th and came up short of the green. “I hit every fairway and green on the front until those two holes, so I was a little hot making the turn.” Vana righted the ship on the back nine where he came through with critical birdies on the 10th and 12th holes. On the 378-yard, par 4 10th hole, Vana hit a gap wedge to six inches. He then chipped to a foot of the hole on the 510-yard, par 5 12th hole. He was unflappable from that point on as he hit every fairway and green in regulation. “I didn’t know where I stood, but I knew that it was going to be close,” said Vana. “I was focused on hitting quality shots and I did that.” While his history in MGA Championships is unmatched, Vana is quick to thank those around him. He first
talked about his surgeon Brian McKeon, who was instrumental in Vana’s recovery from his two surgeries. McKeon — who is also the Boston Celtics team physician — and his team performed the knee and shoulder surgeries on Vana in January. “I wouldn’t be pain free and playing at this level if it wasn’t for Brian and his team,” said Vana. Along for the ride today once again was Vana’s longtime friend Dick Premerlani who has served as Vana’s caddy since 2008. “I have not won with Dick on my bag and it is something that I felt bad about,” said Vana, who met Premerlani during his practice round for the 2005 Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship when it was held at Premerlani’s home course of Berkshire Hills Country Club. “I am so happy to have won this championship with him. It was a special moment for both of us.”
Special... and record breaking. With his 13 MGA Championship titles, Vana ties Jim Ruschioni for the most in MGA history. Photo courtesy of David Colt Photography
For breaking local golf stories visit www.snegolfer.com and click “Breaking Stories.” SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
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SNE GOLF LOCATOR MAP RHODE ISLAND COURSES
1. BEAVER RIVER G.C. (18) P 343 Kingstown Rd. Richmond, RI, 401-539-2100 www.beaverrivergolf.com, PS,CR,CH,SB,O 2. BUTTON HOLE SHORT COURSE (9) P, X Button Hole Dr. Providence, RI, 401-421-1664 www.buttonhole.org, CL,CH,DR,PS, Lessons 3. COUNTRY VIEW G.C. (18) P 49 Club Lane Burrillville, RI, 401-568-7157 www.countryviewgolf.net, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 4. COVENTRY PINES G.C. (9) P Harkney Hill Rd. Coventry, RI 401-397-9482, CR,CL,CH,SB, Senior Rates 5. CRANSTON C.C. (18) P 69 Burlingame Rd. Cranston, RI, 401-826-1683 www.cranstoncc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 6. CRYSTAL LAKE G.C. (18) SP 100 Broncos Hwy. Mapleville, RI, 401-567-4500 www.crystallakegolfclub.com, CL,CR,PS,CH,O,SB 7. EAST GREENWICH G.C. (9) SP 1646 Division Rd. E. Greenwich, RI, 401-884-5656, www.eastgreenwichgc.com CR,CL,CH,O, Restaurant 8. EXETER COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP 320 Victory Hwy. (Rt. 102) Exeter, RI 401-295-8212, www.exetercc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 9. FAIRLAWN G.C. (9) P, X Sherman Ave. Lincoln, RI, 401-334-3937 www.fairlawngolfcourse.com, CR,CL,CH,SB,O 10. FENNER HILL G.C. (18) P 33 Wheeler Ln. Hope Valley, RI, 401-539-8000, www.fennerhill.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O 11. FOSTER COUNTRY CLUB (18) P 67 Johnson Rd. Foster, RI, 401-397-7750 www.fostercountryclub.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 12. HARBOR LIGHT MARINA & C.C. (9) P 200 Gray St. Warwick, RI, 401-737-6353 www.harborlightsri.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 13. JAMESTOWN G.C. (9) P 245 Conanicus Ave. Jamestown, RI, 401-423-9930 www.jamestowngolf.com CR,CL,CH 14. LAUREL LANE C.C. (18) P Laurel Lane, off Rt.138, W. Kingston, RI 401-783-384, www.laurellanecountryclub.com CR,CL,PS,CH,O 15. LINDBROOK G.C. (18) X CR, CH,O 299 Woodville Alton Rd. Hope Valley, RI 401-539-8700 16. MEADOW BROOK G.C. (18) P 163 Kingstown Rd.(Rt.138) Richmond, RI 401-539-8491, www.meadowbrookgolfri.com CR,CL,CH,PS,O, PGA pro 17. MELODY HILL C.C. (18) P 55 Melody Hill Ln. Harmony, RI, 401-949-9851 CR,PS,CH 18. MIDVILLE COUNTRY CLUB (9) P 100 Lombardi Ln. W. Warwick, RI, 401-828-9215 www.midvillegolfclub.com, CR,CL,PS,CH 19. NEWPORT NATIONAL G.C. (18) SP 324 Mitchells Ln. Middletown, RI, 401-848-969 www.newportnational.com, CR,CL,PS,SB,O 20. NORTH KINGSTOWN G.C. (18) P 615 Callahan Rd. No. Kingstown, RI, 401-2940684, www.nkgc.com, DR,PS,CR,CL,CH,O 21. PINE CREST GOLF CLUB (9) P 25 Pinehurst Dr. Richmond, RI, 401-364-8600 www.pinecrestri.com CR,CL,CH,SB,O, Leagues 22. RICHMOND C.C. (18) SP Sandy Pond Rd. Richmond, RI, 401-364-9200 www.richmondcountryclub.net, CR,CL,PS,CH,O
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23. ROSE HILL GOLF CLUB (9) P 222 Rose Hill Rd. So. Kingstown, RI, 401-7881088, www.rosehillri.com CR,CL,CH,SB, Leagues 24. TIN CUP GOLF & DRIVING RANGE (6)P 2 Fairway Dr. Coventry, RI, 401-823-4653 www.tincupgc.com, CR,CL,CH,O,DR 25. TRIGGS MEMORIAL G.C. (18) P Chalkstone Ave. Providence, RI 401-521-8460, www.triggs.us, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 26. WINDMILL HILL G.C. (9) X 35 Schoolhouse Rd. (off Rt 136) Warren, RI 401-245-1463, www.windmillgolfri.com CR,CL,CH,O, Restaurant 27. WOOD RIVER GOLF (18) P 78 Woodville-Alton Rd. Hope Valley, RI, 401364-0700, www.woodrivergolf.com, CR,CH,SB,O 28. WOODLAND GREENS G.C. (9) P 655 Old Baptist Rd. N. Kingstown, RI, 401-2942872, www.woodlandgc.com CR,PS,CH,O
RHODE ISLAND DRIVING RANGES
A. BUTTON HOLE LEARNING CENTER (9) PAR 3, 1 Button Hole Dr. Providence, RI 401-421-1664, www.buttonhole.org target greens, two putting greens, lessons B. IRON WOODS GOLF PRACTICE CENTER 1081 Iron Hill Mine Rd. (off Rt.146) N. Smithfield, RI, 401-766-1151, www.iwgolf.com, putting greens, grass tees, covered area, bunker, lessons, repairs C. MULLIGAN’S ISLAND GOLF & ENTERTAINMENT (9) X 1000 New London Ave. (Rt 2) Cranston, RI 401-464-8855, www.mulligansisland.com 60 stall driving range, covered area, batting cages, mini-golf, par 3 course, 18-hole pitch and putt, PGA Golf Academy, Spargo Golf on premises, club fitting and repairs D. PAVILION RESTAURANT & DRIVING RANGE 15 Frontier Rd. Exit 1 off Rt. 95, Ashaway, RI 401377-9900, www.thepavilionrestaurant.com grass tees, mini golf, Restaurant, Sports Bar
MASSACHUSETTS COURSES
29. AMHERST GC (9) P 365 S. Pleasant St. Amherst, MA, 413-256-6894 www.amherstgolfclub.org, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 30. ATLANTIC C.C. (18) P 450 Little Sandy Pond Rd. Plymouth, MA 508-759-6644, www.atlanticcountryclub.com CR,CL,PS,CH,DR,O 31. BALLYMEADE C.C. (18) SP 125 Falmouth Woods Rd. N. Falmouth, MA 508-540-4005, www.ballymeade.com CR,CL,PS,CH,DR,O 32. BASS RIVER G.C. (18) P 62 Highbank Rd. So. Yarmouth, MA 508-398-9079, www.golfyarmouthcapecod.com CR,CL,PS,CHO 33. BAYBERRY HILLS (27) 18 FULL 9 X 631 W. Yarmouth Rd, So. Yarmouth, MA 508-394-5597, www.golfyarmouthcapecod.com CR,CL,PS,CH,DR,O 34. BEAVER BROOK G.C. (9) P 183 Main St. Haydenville, MA, 413-268-7229 35. BLACKSTONE NATIONAL G.C. (18) SP 227 Putnam Hill Rd. Sutton, MA, 508-865-2111 www.bngc.net, CR,CL,CH,PS,O,DR 36. BLISSFUL MEADOWS G.C. (18) SP 801 Chocalog Rd. Uxbridge, MA, 508-278-6110 www.blissfulmeadows.com, CR,CL,CH,DR,PS,O
37. BRATTLEBORO C.C. (18) SP 345 Upper Dummerston Rd., Brattleboro, VT www.brattleborocountryclub.com, 802-257-7380 38. BUNGAY BROOK G.C. (9) P 30 Locust St. Bellingham, MA, 508-883-1600 www.bungaybrook.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O 39. CAPTAINS COURSE (36) P 1000 Freemans Way, Brewster, MA, 508-896-1716 www.captainsgolfcourse.com CR,CL,CH,PS,O 40. CHEMAWA GOLF COURSE (18) P 350 Cushman Rd. N. Attleboro, MA, 508-3997330, http://chemawagolf.com CR,CH,O,CL 41. COUNTRY CLUB OF GREENFIELD (18) SP 224 Country Club Ln. Greenfield, MA 413-773-7530, www.countryclubofgreenfield.net 42. COUNTRY CLUB OF WILBRAHAM (18) SP 859 Stony Hill Rd. Wilbraham, MA 413-596-8897, www.countryclubofwilbraham.com 43. CHICOPEE C.C. (18) P 1290 Burnett Rd. Chicopee, MA, 413-594-9295 44. COLD SPRING C.C. (18) SP 336 Chauncey Walker, Belchertown, MA 413-323-4888, www.coldspringcc.com CR,CL,PS,CH,O 45. CRESTVIEW (18) SP 281 Shoemaker Ln. Agawam, MA 413-786-2593, www.crestviewcc.org 46. CROSSWINDS (27) P 424 Long Pond Rd. Plymouth, MA 508-830-1199 www.golfcrosswinds.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,DR,O 47. CRUMPIN-FOX (18) P 87 Parmenter Rd. Bernardston, MA 508-413-648-9101, www.golfthefox.com CR,CL,CH,PS,DR,O 48. EASTON C.C. (18) SP 265 Purchase St. Easton, MA 508-238-2500, www.eastoncountryclub.com CR,CL,PS,CH,DR,O 49. ELLINWOOD C.C. (18) SP 1928 Pleasant St. Athol, MA, 978-249-7460 www.ellinwoodcc.com, CR,CH,PS,O 50. ELMCREST C.C. (18) Private 105 Somersville Rd. E. Longmeadow, MA 413-575-7477, www.golfelmcrest.cc.com 51. FENWAY GOLF RANGE & PITCH & PUTT (DR) 112 Allen St. E. Longmeadow, MA 413-525-4444, www.fenwaygolf.com 52. FOXBOROUGH C.C. (18) SP 33 Walnut St. Foxborough, MA 508-543-4661x4, www.foxboroughcc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,DR,O 53. GARDNER MUNICIPAL (18) P 95 Pleasant St. Gardner, MA, 978-632-9703 www.gardnergolfcourse.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,DR,O 54. HICKORY RIDGE C.C. (18) SP 191 W. Pomeroy Ln. Amherst, MA, 413-253-9320 www.hickoryridgecc.com CR,CL,PS,CH,O 55. HIGHFIELDS G & CC (18) P 42 Magill Dr. Grafton, MA, 508-839-1945 www.highfieldsgolfcc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 56. HILLSIDE COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP 82 Hillside Ave. Rehoboth, MA, 508-252-9761 www.hillsidecountryclub.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 57. HOLDEN HILLS G.C. (18) P 1800 Main St. Jefferson (Holden), MA 508-8293129, www.holdenhillssgolf.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 58. INDIAN MEADOWS (9) P 275 Turnpike Rd. Westboro, MA, 508-836-5460 www.indianmeadowsgolf.com, CR,CL,PS,SB,O 59. JOHN E. PARKER MUNICIPAL G.C. (9) P 17 Fisher St. Taunton, MA, 508-822-1797 CR,DR,CH,SB, Skins Thurs. at 3:45
60. JUNIPER HILL G.C. (36) P 202 Brigham St. Northboro, MA, 508-393-2444 www.juniperhillgc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,SB,O 61. LAKEVILLE C.C. (18) P 44 Clear Pond Rd. Lakeville, MA, 508-947-6630 www.lakevillecountryclub.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 62. LEICESTER C.C. (18) P 1430 Main St. Leicester, MA, 508-892-1390 www.leicestercc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 63. LOCUST VALLEY G.C. (9) P 106 Locust St. Attleboro, MA, 508-222-1500 CR,CH,SB,O, new low rates 64. MAPLEGATE COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP 160 Maple St. Bellingham, MA, 508-966-4040 www.maplegate.com, CR,CL,PS,CH 65. MGA LINKS AT MAMANTAPETT (18) P, X 300 W. Maine Rd. (Rt 123) Norton, MA 508-222-0555, www.mamantapett.com CL,PS,CH,SB,O 66. MIDDLEBROOK C.C. (9) P 149 Pleasant St. Rehoboth, MA 508-252-9393, CR,PS,CH,SB 67. NEW ENGLAND C.C. (18) SP 180 Paine St. Bellingham, MA, 508-883-2300, www.newenglandcountryclub.com CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O 68. NORTON COUNTRY CLUB (18) SP 188 Oak St. Norton, MA, 508-285-2400 www.nortoncountryclub.com, CR,CL,CH,SB,O 69. OAK RIDGE G.C. (18) P 850 S. Westfield St. Feeding Hills, MA 413-789-7307, www.oakridgegc.com 70. OLDE SCOTLAND LINKS (18) P 695 Pine St. Bridgewater, MA, 508-279-3344 www.oldescotlandlinks.com, CR,CL,SB,DR,O 71. PETERSHAM C.C. (9) P 240 No. Main St. Petersham, MA, 978-724-3388 www.petershamcc.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,O 72. PINE RIDGE G.C. (18) P 28 Pleasant St. No. Oxford, MA, 508-892-9188 www.pineridgegolf.net, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 73. REHOBOTH C.C. (18) P 155 Perryville Rd Rehoboth, MA, 508-252-6259 www.rehobothcountryclub.com, CR,CH,PS,O 74. RIDDER G.C. (18) P 389 Oak St. E. Bridgewater, MA 781-447-9003, www.ridderfarm.com CR,CL,PS,SB 75. SHAKER FARMS C.C. (18) P 866 Shaker Rd. Westfield, MA, 413-568-4087 www.shakerfarmscc.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 76. SHINING ROCK G.C. (18) SP 91 Clubhouse Way, Northbridge, MA, 508-234-0400, www.shiningrock.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 77. SOUTHAMPTON C.C. (18) P 329 College Hwy. Southampton, MA 413-527-9815, www.partnersrestaurant.com CR,SB,CH,PS,O
KEY Golf Course Driving Range DR = Driving Range ( ) = Holes PS = Pro Shop P = Public CH = Clubhouse SP = Semi Private O = Outings X = Executive SB = Snack Bar CR = Car Rental CL = Club Rental
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
78. ST. ANNE C.C. (18) P 781 Shoemaker Ln. Feeding Hills, MA, 413-7862088, www.stannecc.com CR,CL,CH,PS,O 79. TEKOA C.C. (18) P 459 Russell Rd. Westfield, MA, 413-568-1064 www.tekoacc.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 80. TEMPLEWOOD G.C. (18) P 160 Brooks Rd. Templeton, MA, 978-939-5031 www.templewoodgolfcourse.com CR,CL,CH,PS,O 81. THE BLANDFORD CLUB (9) P 17 North St. Blandford, MA, 413-848-2443 www.massgolftennis.com, CR,SB,CH,PS,O 82. THE RANCH G.C. (18) P 65 Sunnyside Rd. Southwick, MA, 413-569-9333 www.theranchgolfclub.com CR,CL,CH,PS,DR,O 83. THOMAS MEMORIAL G.C. ( 9 ) P 29 Country Club Ln. Turners Falls, MA 413-863-8003 84. WAMPANOAG G.C. (9) P 168 Old Providence Rd. Swansea, MA, 508-3799832, www.wampanoaggolf.com CR,CL,CH,PS 85. PINE GROVE G.C. (18 ) P 254 Old Wilson Rd. Northampton, MA, 413-584-4570
86. WENTWORTH HILLS G.C. (18) SP 27 Bow St. Plainville, MA, 508-316-0240 www.wntworthhillsgc.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 87. WIDOWS WALK G.C. (18) P 250 The Driftway Scituate, MA, 781-544-0032 www.widowswalkgolf.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 88. WINCHENDON SCHOOL G.C. (18) P 435 Spring St. Winchendon, MA, 978-297-9897 www.winchgolf.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 89. WORTHINGTON G.C. (9) P 113 Ridge Rd. Worthington, MA, 413-238-4464 www.worthingtongolfclub.net CR,CL,CH,PS,O
MASSACHUSETTS DRIVING RANGES
E. ATLANTIC DRIVING RANGE/ SHADOWBROOK (9) X 754 Newport Ave. So. Attleboro, MA www.atlanticgolfcenter.com, heated tees, retail shop, mini golf, chip and putt F. GOLF LEARNING CENTER OF NEW ENGLAND 19 Leonard St. Norton, MA (Exit 10 off Rt.495), 508-285-4500, www.golflearningcenter.com 1,000 ft. grass teeline, heated bays, putting, chipping, bunkers
G. SEEKONK DRIVING RANGE 1977 Fall River Ave. (Rt. 6) Seekonk, MA 508-336-8074, www.seekonkdrivingrange.com covered heated tees, batting cages, mini golf, lessons, available, grass hitting area
CONNECTICUT COURSES
90. CEDAR KNOB GC (18) P 446 Billings Rd. Somers, CT, 860-749-3550 www.cedarknobgolfcourse.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O 91. CONNECTICUT NATIONAL (18) P 136 Chase Rd. Putnam, CT, 860-928-7748 www.ctnationalgolf.com, CR,CL,PS,CH,SB,O 92. ELMRIDGE GOLF CLUB (27) P 229 Elmridge Rd. Pawcatuck, CT, 860-599-2248 www.elmridgegolf.com, CR,CL,DR,PS,CH,O 93. FOX HOPYARD (18) SP 1 Hopyard Rd. East Haddam, CT 860-434-6644, www.golfthefox.com CR,CL,CH,PS,DR,O 94. LAKE OF ISLES C.C. (18) P Foxwoods Casino, Mashantucket, CT, 860-3123636, www.lakeofisles.com CR,CL,PS,SB,Rest.,O, Golf School
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
95. MINNECHAUG G.C. (9) P 16 Fairway Crossing Glastonbury, CT 860-643-9914, www.minnechauggolf.com CR,CL,CH,PS 96. RACEWAY GOLF COURSE (18) SP 205 E. Thompson Rd. Thompson, CT 860-923-9591, www.racewaygolf.com CR,CL,CH,PS,DR,O 97. RIVER RIDGE GOLF CLUB (18) P 259 Preston Rd. Griswold, CT 860-376-3268, www.riverridgegolf.com CR,CL,PS,CH,O 98. ROLLING MEADOWS C.C. (18) P 76 Sadds Mill Rd. Ellington, CT 860-870-5328, www.rollingmeadowsgolfcourse.com CR,CL,CH,PS,O 99. SHENNECOSSETT G.C. (18) P 93 Plant St. Groton, CT, 860-445-0262 (PS 448-1867), www.shennygolf.com CR,CL,CH,PS,Rest.,O 100. TOWER RIDGE C.C. (18) SP 140 Nod Rd. Simsbury, CT, 860-658-9767 www.towerridgecc.com, CR,CL,CH,PS,O
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SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF SNEGOLFER.COM Undergoes Major Changes Our website, www.snegolfer.com, has undergone some major changes recently and it is all for the better. We contracted with Issuu.com and not only can you can read the entire paper right from your computer, the website has all the back issues of the paper. Issuu also has an app that you can download so that the issues can come to your iphone or ipad.
Visit us today at www.issuu.com/ southernnewenglandgolfer
We will be posting breaking stories throughout the year on the website. In many cases we can not fit the entire story from our writers in the paper and you can see the full story on the website. Bruce Berlet who writes the Connecticut Notebook column is very prolific and we don’t have space in the publication for all, but it is all on the website. Since southern New England is a very compact area with wonderful golf courses, our map page on the website lists most of your favorites. Included are directions and links to the course and driving range websites as well. A new feature that we have just added to the website is a PGA Golf News scroll that lets you find out what is currently happening in the world of golf. We have also partnered with TourPlayers.com to have videos on our website. This program that is done with the Auclair family from No. Smithfield, R.I. offers up-to-theminute videos with players who are on tour and is very informative.
We have compiled hundreds of golf travel stories over the years, and you can visit the site to see if there are some places that you would like to travel for your next golfing vacation. Susan Vittner is working hard on the site to provide readers with news that is worth hitting a couple of clicks on your computer or smartphone. There is a place on the home page where you can register your email address to receive golfing updates. We promise that we will never sell your email address or bother you with continuous emails. Currently there is a spot on the website to register for our Golf Appreciation Day at Crestwood Country Club in Rehoboth on September 25.
Planning Your Advertising Budget for 2013? Target your audience in Southern New England Golfer! Call Bruce Vittner at 401-464-8445 or email him at bruce@snegolfer.com to make plans for advertising in 2013.
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SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GOLFER / Fall 2012 / 401-464-8445 / www.snegolfer.com
GOLF TRAVEL
O
By BRUCE VITTNER
PGA National Offers Great Amenities
ne of the best things about staying and golfing at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. just outside West Palm Beach is the chance “To Play Where The Pros Play.” But that is by far not the only draw. PGA National Resort & Spa has recently undergone a $100 million renovation (they call it a reinvention), and it is marvelous. As you drive up to the resort you pass croquet lawns, a health and racquet club, a new fitness center and about 20 tennis courts. You’ll see glimpses of the four courses on property and you haven’t gotten to the front entrance yet. PGA National’s renovations include numerous enhancements to its 379room resort hotel, clubhouse, golf courses, spa, health and racquet club, and conference and meeting space. Among the contemporary additions is a stunning zero-entry pool, newly-named signature restaurant – Ironwood Steak and Seafood – and trendy, sophisticated iBAR. The spacious lobby area, contemporary lobby bar and seating areas await you as you enter. The day we drove up there were two Bentleys in courtesy parking. No, it’s not going to cost you thousands to stay and play here, but you will be hobnobbing with many of the rich and famous. The finishing touches to the renovation also include floor-to-ceiling guest room makeover featuring stylish bedding, headboards, wall coverings and carpet; spacious, modern work desks with multiple plug-in options; atmospheric lighting; and elegant furnishings. Suite bathrooms will have walk-in showers. State-of-theart, high-definition, 42-inch flat-panel televisions have been installed. Renovation of its 19th Hole bar and grill, to be renamed “Bar 19,” includes the latest in clubhouse furnishings, high-definition televisions and expanded outdoor dining overlooking one of the great vistas in golf. The addition of a kitchen will allow for a completely new menu offering. Updating its championship golf courses with new turf, irrigation systems, rebuilt bunkers, and expanded tee and green complexes was completed The 40,000 square-foot European Spa with 32 treatment areas and the exclusive “Waters of the World” outdoor mineral
pools will also be updated matching the motif of the resort’s fashionably cool, hip décor. PGA National has a proud history of hosting major golf events. The 25th Ryder Cup Matches were contested here in 1983, the 69th PGA Championship was held in 1987 and the Champions Tour held matches here for many years. For the last six years the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic has been held on The Champion course as the first stop on the “Florida Swing.” During these tournaments most of the players stay right at the resort. With nine restaurants including the award-winning Ironwood Steak and Seafood, very well appointed guest rooms, pools, pavilions, PGA National Golf Academy, huge driving range, oversized practice greens, an award winning spa (my wife loved it), and tons of other activities, why would you go anywhere else? Back to the golf. The four courses on property are the Champion, Palmer, Haig and Squire. They are all different and offer varied challenges. We played The Haig, named after golfing great Walter Hagen, course first. It’s the tightest of the four, and making a par a par on the first hole, with water left and out of bounds (driving range) to the right, it is a tough starting hole. “We are planning renovations to that hole right now,” said David Fine, vice president of sales and a former Providence Country Day student who hosted a group of writers for dinner at Ironwood Grille in February. Designed in 1980 by George and Tom Fazio who included water on 15 holes but there are no crossing water hazards, so you can go around them if need be. The course is well manicured (as they all are) with beautiful fairways. True to Fine’s word this November “The Fazio” a complete renovation of “The Haig will be open. Tom Fazio II has spearheaded the efforts to modernize the noted shot maker’s layout. “We think the appealing aspects of The Fazio are the newly reconfigured greens, tee-boxes and bunkering; achieving that ideal balance where single-digit golfers will be fully challenged while higher handicaps will have a layout ideal for a day of enjoyable resort golf,” says Tom Fazio II.
They actually have a bronze bear to signify the “Bear Trap” holes. The course we did not have time to play on property was the Squire named after Gene Sarazen. The Fazios also designed this course and it opened in 1981. With small greens, several doglegs it is regarded as “the thinking man’s course.” The Palmer course, designed by The King, opened in 1984. Much more forgiving than the other three, with open fairways and large greens, it offers players a taste of Scotland with its uneven lies an a common green for holes 8 and 12. Saving the best for last, but also the most expensive, we then ventured onto The Champion course. We could almost hear the sounds and feel the shots of the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship as we traversed this Fazio brothers design that was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1990 and then renovated in 2002. Home of the “Bear Trap”—holes 1517, there is quite a bit of trouble you can get into before you get to that waterloo. Number 6 is a great par 5 with water all along the left and a green that juts out into the water. Number 11 is a long par 4 to an elevated green with water in front. There is a lot of water on the Bear Trap holes. And then you get to the 18th, a long par 5 that snakes around a pond on the right to a green with lots of trouble.
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The pros play it from 7,048 and it has a slope of 148 and a rating of 75.2 from the blacks. There are five sets of tees, so make sure you choose the one that fits your game and you’ll have a lot more fun. Wildlife abounds on the property and it seemed to be more on The Champion. Egrets, gators, cranes, and most every type of bird can be found on this property that has earned a “Green” rating for its conservation efforts. There are many types of accommodations available on the property. We met a dozen golfers from Connecticut who were there on a golf getaway and staying in villas. Golfweek rates PGA National Resort and Spa the 47th best resort in America. Can’t imagine that there are 46 better. Visit www.pgaresort.com or call 800-863-2819 for more information. Southwest has direct flights to West Palm Beach from Providence and Boston. It is about 20 minutes from the airport and it’s only ten minutes to the ocean. Bruce Vittner is a member of the Golf Writers Assn. of America and the Golf Travel Writers of America and can be reached at bruce@snegolfer.com.
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